KANGPOKPI, January 19: The All Tribal Students` Union Manipur (ATSUM) has urged the State government today to stop the construction of the coffer dam at Mapithel Dam considering its negative impact on the people.
Speaking to media persons this evening at Kangpokpi, Rights and Reservation secretary of the tribal students apex body , Simthar Jajo lamented that the construction of the coffer dam will submerge all the surrounding villages in due time.
Therefore, it will be prudent on the part of the State government to stop the construction of the coffer dam at the earliest until issues regarding the Mapithel Dam are solved amicably, Jajo added.
Continuing that the student body is against the construction, he stressed on the necessity for following the recommendations of the Expert Review Committee on the part of the State government.
Jajo also equated the construction of the coffer dam to the force eviction of the affected villagers and continued that people are not against the Mapithel Dam but the apathy of the government.
He pointed out that the legal case against the construction of the Mapithel Dam is still pending so the government should avoid executing any related activities as per its wishes.
Urging the State government to stop the construction of the coffer dam at the earliest, ATSUM has appealed the government to respect the rights and sentiments of the people at any cost.