(English) June 22, 2013
As a part of the beautification programme of Singda Dam and to ensure development in the field of power, water and agriculture in Manipur, the Singda Dam area is going to be expanded. A sit-in-protest was held against this decision of the state government by the local people at Singda Kadangband Bazar on Saturday.
The sit-in-protest was organised by the JAC against the Forced Eviction of Kadangband Part I and was also participated by various civil bodies and human rights activists. Former Sekmai MLA, Ningthoujam Biren said that the government has been blaming massive deforestation by the residents of the adjoining areas as a major reason for the deteriorating condition of the dam. However, instead of launching massive afforestation, the government has been trying to evict the existing houses and is considering turning the place into a big garden, which is very unfortunate. This decision of the government is like Mughal emperor Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s policy. If the garden has to be set up, it should have been included long time back during the construction of the dam. He alleged that the government’s plan is to gather all the funds sanctioned by the Centre in this regard.
The ex-minister also blamed the state government for not being totally transparent, and asked why Chief Minister O Ibobi and IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip laid the foundation stone in a clandestine manner, even though they claimed that it was done in the interest of the public.
Human Rights activist Jiten said that during the time of construction of this dam, it had been targeted to supply 750 megawatt of electricity, to provide sufficient water for irrigation and also provide drinking water. However, these targeted goals have not been fulfilled so far. The dam is under-performing so far. In such a scenario, will the beautification programme be able to help in attaining these targeted goals, he asked. President of All Zeliangrong Students Union John Pamei said that apart from some new buildings and a flyover, no other significant developmental works can be seen during the three-term tenure of the Congress led by O Ibobi.
The government has been employing divide-and-rule policy all this while whenever there arised a situation where the public does not agree.
All the dams that have been constructed in Manipur and currently under construction are not successful, he added. Several resolutions were taken on today’s protest including united stand against the eviction; withdrawal of the land encroachment order releases on May 28, 2013; to discuss with the public before taking up any projects or changes in this dam etc.
Later, effigies of CM O Ibobi, IFCD minister Ngamthang Haokip, Sekami MLA Devendro and IFCD Cheif Engineer Indramani were burned down after the sit-in-protest. A rally was organised from Kadangband Bazar upto Kangchup Chingkhong.
Source: Manipur Times
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