Tipamukh Dam is not in the interest of Manipur

Imphal, Febuary 06: The statement made by the Chief Minister O Ibobi during the peace rally of the meira paibis at Malom on February 2 in connection with the Tipaimukh Dam is against the will of the general public of Manipur particularly the Tamenglong district. The main objective of the Tipaimukh Dam is flood control in Cachar valley of Assam and power generation. Out of 1500 mega watt, Manipur will get only 12 percent mega watt. This being the case, the dam is not in the interest of the people of Manipur, The Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam said in a press release. Regarding employment prospect it may be pointed out that advertisement for recruitment of the important higher post will be done in all India level and it is therefore unrealistic dream that only Manipuris will employed in the project. Moreover, the project of such nature requires people of technical and engineering knowledge and for which Manipur may hardly be able to supply or will be recruited. Laborers will also be mostly from outside the state, the release further said. The statement that the people of the area are quite happy with the proposed project is also wrong. If the people welcome the dam and happy with such project how could there be objections and against the Tipaimukh dam. The people of Tamenglong district know that the Dam is going to cause much destruction to many of their land, forest, fields, rivers and many historical and cultural sites and therefore they are against the dam. The objective is therefore not only of the section of vested interest but of the people of the district as a whole, the release said. The statement that the Government had given a deep thought and analyzed all the merits and demerits of the project before giving green signal for the construction of dam is not convincing the demerits if the proposed project. Moreover, the proposal for the replacement of MoU signed earlier by another MoU itself is questionable. It is indicative of immature consideration on the issue, the release added. It may, in this context, be pointed out the CM is not serious enough to consider the grievances of the people. This proved by the fact that he did not want to talk properly to a team of delegation who came to meet him in his office chamber on August 27, 2002. He simply told the team to talk with the local MLAs. Therefore, the CM is earnestly urged not to repeat such remark on the Tipaimukh Dam which is against the interest of the people of Manipur. The CM is fervently urged to revoke the MoU and drop the project once for all, concluded the release.