Mapithel dam affected villagers against current rehab process

IMPHAL, April 3: Angry local of  Riha / Thawai village under Ukhrul district today blocked the entry of the Deputy Commissioner Ukhrul along with other officials who had come to visit affected villages of the  Mapithel dam area for rehabilitation and resettlement  and for the verification of the locals staying in the affected area of the dam.

A large number of locals came out on the street today morning and blocked the road after they heard that the officials were visiting the Mapithel dam affected areas. The angry locals blocked the road by placing wood, felled tree, and other objects, disturbing vehicle movement.

Police has to resort to the use of tear gas shells and blank firing to quell the mass of people at Chadong village in Ukhrul district today. The Deputy Commissioner, along with the officials of Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) however managed to entered Chadong village at around 4:30 pm.

According to the Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organization (MDAVO), it had held several rounds of talks with the government on the rehabilitation and resettlement matter through the Expert Review Committee seeking the involvement of the Organization.

It may be mentioned that on March 26, the Deputy Commissioner had directed that field verification of those families whose photographs were not captured during the previous verification under Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Package in respect of Chadong village would be conducted on April 3 and 4.

On the other hand, the MDAVO said that a case is still pending in the Gauhati High Court regarding the issue and hence, the resettlement and the rehabilitation work cannot be undertaken.