Village chiefs’ conference opposes Tipaimukh dam

Imphal, February 27: A one day conference of village chiefs /NGOs of Chandel against the construction of Tipaimukh Dam" organized by Chamdil Khubul Social Welfare Arts & Culture Assn was held today at the Community Hall of Chamdil Khubul. Some of the important participants at the conference included the village chiefs of Japhou, Chandel Khullen, representatives of Anal Naga Taongpi, ANTA, RDS, Christian Social Devt Organization, CKSWA-CA, UTDP, UNC-M Chandel, RTC Imphal, WAD Imphal and Zeliangrong Women Union. Deliberating on the pros and cons of the Tipaimukh Dam, the participants at the conference unanimously appealed to the Govt to drop the proposed Tipaimukh Dam Project. Besides submerging a total area of 288.60 sq km of land they added that the project would totally destroy 27,242 hectares of cultivable land. Representative of UNC, Tolkham Maring while elaborating on the impact of the dam expressed that the Govt should have thoroughly deliberated upon the impact of the project before signing the MoU. The village chiefs of Chandel Khullen and Japhou also strongly reacted against the decision of the Govt to go ahead with the construction of the Dam and cited the example of Ithai Barrage which has been the source of misery for hundreds of families.