IMPHAL, Oct 11NNN: A public meeting along with a protest rally oganised jointly by the Anal Naga Taangpi (ANTA), Anal Students’ Union, Anallon Chiefs’ Association (ALCA) and Anal Women Union (ASR) in collaboration with the area level organisation was held today at the Mini Indoor Stadium, Chandel district headquarters protesting against the proposed construction of Chakpi Multi Purpose Project at Chakpi River in Chandel district.
Addressing at the gathering, WNG. Kohring Victor, president of ANTA said the proposed project will undoubtedly affect the minority tribe and other small tribe community residing in and around the site as it will incurred loss of socio-economy and will make undesirable changes on demography, religion, militarisation and moral integrity. Ckakpi river is the lifeline and bread and butter for the people of Chandel district and its surrounding other tribes and moreover there is apprehensions on break-down of the dam as the site is under seismological zone. Under these circumstances, how can the villages welcome the project ? he asked.
Jusifying its stand on the multi-project, Kohring Victor said, “Why the state government is submitting its proposal again and again to the Central government for approval in the name of developmental project at the cost of our land and resources. If the government is concern for us then there are many things to be done in the district like repairing the bad road condition from Pallel to Chandel, Chandel to Chakpikarong via Sugnu, Lack of infrastructures at PHC, Chakpikarong and revocation of Vomku Block; good schools, bridges at specify location etc “.
During the meeting, a public declaration was announced stating that the project is anti-people in nature and is proposed at a high cost not in the interest of the indigenous people of Chandel where initial investigation, survey and proposal were done without the knowledge and consent of the people.
A massive public protest rally was also taken out by the protesters numbering around 3000 starting from the Mini Indoor Stadium upto the Deputy Commissioner’s Office where the protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of the state through the Deputy Commissioner, Chandel.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chakpi-project-opposed/
