IMPHAL, July 27: The Joint Action Committee for Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected People has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh demanding to review the construction of Mapithel Dam/Thoubal Dam and livelihood of downstream residents including its secured life within ten days.
In the memorandum, the committee also served certain demands failing which it will resort to launch democratic public action from August 5 onwards.
It demanded to ensure the livelihood means of the downstream affected citizens as soon as possible along with proper compensation and rehabilitation packages with remedies; provide safe drinking and irrigational water to the downstream affected people immediately; review Mapithel Dam construction for holistic impact on indigenous communities along the Thoubal River and stop Mapithel dam construction till completion of such reviews.
It further demanded the Expert Review Committee on Mapithel Dam formed on January 18, 2008 be revived and resumed as per the wishes of all the villagers affected by the dam with full reference for Implementation of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and implement the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams for review of the ongoing dam construction for Its compliance with human rights, development and indigenous peoples` rights.