The representatives of All Tribal Rights’ Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM), Rongmei Naga Student Organisation Manipur (RNSOM), Longmai Bazar Board (LBB), and Longmai Area Village Authority Council (LAVAC) have visited the residents of Longmai-III Village, Noney District, Manipur along the NH-37 and found that a pucca building consisting 8 rooms of two-storey has been badly affected by the landslide as an effect by construction of NH-37. The affected land belongs to one, Mr. Rongphun Rongmei. The value of the affected house and other properties like standing crops would be estimated at Rs 30 lakhs on an average. All parts of the house got cracked and the upper storey has been already destroyed.
Now, if the concerned authorities fail to address the issue and take up necessary steps so as to prevent further destruction, failing which around 30 houses with a Church would be totally wash away by the landslide due to the construction of the said road and there is a high chance to loss the life of the residents. The road is being constructed in the middle of the village and their houses both upper and lower sides followed by paddy rice fields which can be destroyed by landslide.
It is doubt that, whether concern authority(s) carried out The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Forest Clearance, etc, because, the ongoing construction of NH is affected badly as cited above. Apart from the above impacts, there will be worse degradation of environment, soil erosion and even impact the ecology/biodiversity.
We felt shock that the present Government always said that, CHINGMEE TAMEE AMATANI and there are equality development between Hills and Valley, and even. But, it seems only namesake because there are lots disparity between Hills and Valley in terms of road condition, communication etc. Recently, a patient carried with bamboo sheet for the treatment with muddy road.
The visiting team also inspected the said road beyond the said village and found that many villages can be affected by the construction of road. The road is in extremely bad condition and the concerned authorities shall take steps as most urgent and prevent further destruction of the houses and save the lives of the residents before it is too late. The situation would become acute and worsen as incessant rains become more regular as the conditions is becoming worsen day by day. Hundreds of heavy vehicles are plying on the said road and it is one of the lifelines for the State of Manipur. The NH is being constructed by the NHIDCL which was never maintained properly and negligence various protocols. The organisations and leaders of the area have approached and requested the concerned authorities personally as well as by way of submitting representations. However, no positive response has been given till date. It is, therefore, the said organisations appeal the concerned authorities, NHIDCL in particular to response the damage cause and affecting the area within 5 days w.e.f. 23rd July 2020. We are compelled to impose to stop movement of heavy vehicles along the NH and other forms of democratic protest if concern authority and NHIDCL fail to action within stipulated time.
With Regards,
(James Haokip),
Secretary, ATRPFM
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