Chandel rally protests Chakpi Project

IMPHAL, Oct 11: Along with organising a mass rally against the proposed Chakpi Multi-purpose Project today at Chandel district headquarters, the public of Chandel registered strong condemnation over the attempt by Government to construct a Dam within Chandel district.

The rally was organised by Anal naga Taangpi, Anal Students’ Union (ALT), Anallon Chiefs’ Association, Anal Women Union in collaboration with area level organisations. The public also made an 8-point declaration during the rally today.

The project is anti-people in nature and not in the interest of the indigenous people of Chandel which is not only detrimental but also threatened the identity and exis- tence of the people, said the declaration.

Stating that the initial investigation, survey and pro- posal were done without the knowledge and consent of the people, the declaration further said that the rich flora and fauna would be greatly affected by the project.

The grave danger of demographic impact from the influx of labourers and workers; causing disturbances to ancestral land including 600 sq km of catchment area, 3100 ha of submerged area, 1000 ha of Dam site and land use for colonies, roads, mining, borrowed sites, trans- mission lines etc and canal; irreversible environmental devastation and multiple impact on land and people are the points included in the pu-blic declaration made today.

It also strongly condemned the design of the Government to clandestinely pursue the project without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people violating the UN Declaration on rights of the Indigenous People and the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams, 2000.

Avowing to vehemently oppose any attempt by the Govt to construct Dam the pu-blic further vowed to thwart all designs of the Government through democratic means.
the Anal bodies also submitted a memorandum the Chief Minister of Manipur.