IMPHAL, January 9: The Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) strongly condemned the wide spread devastation of forest, damaging thousands of valuable flora and fauna by the project proponent of the Mapithel dam as a result of the high level road cutting which stretch from Louphong to S. Laho inspite of repeated objections raised by the affected people.
In a statement MDAVO objected that, while the said road construction is taking place in the name of PMGSY from S. Kaho, Sharkaphung and Sipiyang villages side, the other edge recently started from Louphong side clearly indicating that the new road is a component of Mapithel dam/Thoubal multipurpose project.
MDAVO further asserts that, the present High Level Road cutting is not only about subjugating the affected villagers but also encroaching and suppressing the customary rights of the affected tribal villages over their land and forest.
It said that MDAVO feels that it undermines the existing forest and environment laws, and since this case of violations are presently challenge before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Kolkata Bench.
It further objected the present move of the project authority who continues to act against the interest and rights of the affected people, despite repeatedly condemnations raised from the Catchment Area Committee, MDAVO and Village Authorities of the villages affected by the said project.
MDAVO further asserted that it is illegal on the part of the project authority to finalize/commission the project for completing the high level road cutting by violation of Forest and environment laws, since the Mapithel dam case is pending for final verdict at the NGT Court.
In addition, MDAVO asserted that while adjudication of the forest and environment laws violation is underway, the project should maintain status quo and there ought to be a continuous release of water from the reservoir.
The organisation alleged that instead, the water level is rising day by day in contravention of the letter communicated to the Regional Office, Shillong by the Chief Secretary dated 12-8-2015, that there will be continuous release of water using power conduit.
Finally, the organisation expressed deep concern that until and unless the existing laws and rules of forest and environment are complied by the state government, all green laws and the authority of NGT will be reduced to a mockery.
MDAVO added that historic injustice done to the traditional forest dwellers in India soil is repeating in the Mapithel area.