IMPHAL Oct 19: Representatives from four Clans of Chadong village namely Ramthing Kasar, W Linus Mungva, Rockson Kashung and Raymond Mahong, Chairman, held a press meet at Manipur Press Club today.
The representatives insisted on a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement package that will also safeguard their existing rights over the resources of water and forest.
While sharing their woes that this year there has been no plantation at paddy field and hence the villagers will not harvest anything they said, `In addition to this deficit, even our jhum farms and kitchen gardens were submerged leaving us completely depended on buying from outside.`
Ramthing said, the Rs 14 lakhs compensation was only for house, granary, toilet, kitchen, transportation and rehabilitation grant.
However other terms and conditions included in the approved rehabilitation and resettlement plan of 1998 for rehabilitation and resettlement is a much more comprehensive package, Rockson said.
He added the government schools in Chadong are submerged and there is no school at the new resettlement site hence the children have no option but to migrate even for Primary Education while some have remained out of school for this academic year.
He further said, mere ground leveling does not make a resettlement site. It has to have basic amenities like water supply, electric supply, school, health system etc.
These provisions and full R&R were supposed to be implemented one year prior to the completion of the project and submergence of the habitat, he added.
The members demand implementation of a comprehensive R&R and to make immediate arrangements for food, shelter, safety, health, education, electricity, until their rehabilitation is complete. They also want the arrangement of alternative livelihoods and skill trainings towards that.