IMPHAL, October 31: The Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization and the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur have urgently called upon the Government of Manipur and government of India to ensure review of the Mapithel Dam construction for holistic impact on indigenous communities along the Thoubal River and stop Mapithel dam construction till completion of such reviews.
According to a statement, the bodies have also urged all concern that the Expert Review Committee on Mapithel dam formed on January 18, 2008 should be revived and resumed as per the wishes of all villagers affected by Mapithel dam with full reference for implementation of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
It has also urged the government that the notifications of Government of Manipur on September 28, 2012 and the Cabinet Memorandum and Secret negotiations on September 24, 2011 for Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Mapithel Dam affected villagers should be revoked immediately.
It has also urged the implement of the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya on Mapithel Dam, especially to take the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples for any decision on Mapithel dam construction and to stop militarization.
The release further appealed for no forcible eviction and relocation of all communities affected by Mapithel Dam without their free, prior and informed consent as outlined in International Laws and implementation of the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams for review of ongoing dam construction for its compliance with human rights, development and indigenous peoples’ rights and full implementation all the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.