Hmar-Naga bodies dead against Tipaimukh dam

[Source: Hueiyen News Service]

IMPHAL, July 30 2009: The Barak river has been the source of livelihood of the Hmar people for generations, but it would stop being a source of livelihood once the Tipaimukh dam is constructed, said Joseph Hmar, spokesperson of Hmar Students' Union.

The overall benefit in construction of the dam is much less than the loss to be incurred, he stated.

He further stated that the Hmar people are not anti-development and alleged that the ministers of the state do not care for the feelings of the people.

Samson Remmei, president of United Naga Council (UNC) pointed out to the media that the government of Manipur cannot feel the pulse of the people in spite of the numerous protests and continued that the detailed plan of the project has not been shown to the public giving an indication of lack of transparency on the part of the government.

The impact due to the construction of the Tipaimukh dam is going to be multi-dimensional, said Jiten Yumnam, co-convener of Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam (ACTIP).

He said that the government should maintain transparency about the Tipaimukh dam and inform the people about any discussion regarding the dam.

Aram Pamei, convener of COLNAR said that the Barak river is very important to the people living near the river.

She said that different types of rare fishes and other species of animals and plants are going to disappear if the dam is constructed.

She continued that the government of India or Manipur or Bangladesh cannot decide anything without the consent of the people living near the Barak river.