Lives of thousands in peril as Mapithel Dam submerge villages View of paddy fields from Chadong village. Ramrei Aze (Lamlai Khunou), one of the villages that will also be displaced, is partially visible in the background. The electric post visible in the foreground is already under water; the topmost part of the only bridge that connects Chadong to the outside world is under at least 25 feet of water. Except for two canoes joined together for better stability which can carry a maximum of 8 (eight) people, no other mode of transport exist. Villagers are currently depending on this for transporting the most basic necessities. When it is windy and the water gets choppy, the boat cannot ply. Chingya Luithui The Mapithel Dam, a component of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project in Manipur, was approved by the Planning Commission of India in 1980 and was conceived without the knowledge of the public, especially those who are going to suffer the brunt of its adverse impact. Originally slated to be completed in 1987, its construction started only in the 1990s despite widespread protests from the villagers affected by the dam. Once completed, the dam will span 1074 meters with a height of 66 meters. Official estimate puts the submergence area of the dam at 1215 hectares. However, this number is unverifiable as the government is yet to survey a large part of the area to be affected by the dam. On the other hand, calculations based on surveys conducted by non-governmental and community organizations put the figure at 3,568.77 hectares. More than 8000 tribals (and non-tribals) in 22 villages would be affected by the dam. On the upstream Chadong, Lamlai Mongbung, Louphung, Phayang, Ramrei Khullen, Ramrei Khunou, Riha, Thawai (Thoyee), Shangkai, Sharkaphung (Sikibung), Zalengbung would be affected; while on the downstream, Bethelphai, Itham, Island, Leishiphung, Maphou, Moirangpurel, Nongdam Kuki, Nongdam Tangkhul, Rishophung, Shiloijang, Thangchingpokpi, Tumukhong would be affected. Of the 22 villages that are affected, homesteads and agricultural lands of 6 villages (Chadong, Louphung, Phayang, Ramrei Khullen, Ramrei Khunou) will be completely submerged while the remaining villages will suffer partial submergence of either their agricultural lands or homesteads. Another 27 villages are within the catchment area of the dam which is 565 sq. km in size; the community’s access to their wet paddy fields and usage rights of forest and other natural resources in the catchment area would be restricted. Aside from the serious threat to their livelihood and survival, the construction of the dam has given rise to numerous incidents of human rights violations of peoples in the area, including illegal detention, torture, forced displacement etc. The construction has been accompanied by massive militarization and systematic abuse of fundamental freedoms of the people in the area such as the right to free expression, the right over traditional lands, territories and resources, the right to free, prior, informed consent, etc. A house that was being dismantled when we arrived the previous day now lies under water. The cost of the dam in its proposal estimated it at 47.25 crores and was to be completed by 1990-91. With widespread irregularities the cost had escalated to 536 crores by 2005 and the target date for commissioning the dam has been revised at least 4 times. Meanwhile, many of the areas that would be submerged has not been properly surveyed. Photo by Chingya Luithui A house that was being dismantled when we arrived the previous day now lies under water. The cost of the dam in its proposal estimated it at 47.25 crores and was to be completed by 1990-91. With widespread irregularities the cost had escalated to 536 crores by 2005 and the target date for commissioning the dam has been revised at least 4 times. Meanwhile, many of the areas that would be submerged has not been properly surveyed. An aerial view of Chadong village. At the time of taking this photo (July 3, 2015), two houses had already been submerged completely. The water is expected to rise by at least 100 feet from the level visible in this picture; and according to projected estimates, once the water reaches its intended level, only the cross of the church will be visible. Photo by Indigenous Perspectives An aerial view of Chadong village. At the time of taking this photo (July 3, 2015), two houses had already been submerged completely. The water is expected to rise by at least 100 feet from the level visible in this picture; and according to projected estimates, once the water reaches its intended level, only the cross of the church will be visible. Photo by Indigenous Perspectives A family prepares to move their belongings to higher ground. Many families were manipulated, and sometimes threatened, into taking a pittance as compensation. However, there are at least 138 households in Chadong which have not taken compensation. The Government of Manipur is shirking responsibility in rehabilitating and resettling the villagers in a holistic manner arguing that once compensation is given, their responsibility ends. However, the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy of the Government of Manipur clearly states that all resettlement and rehabilitation programmes including basic essentials like water and electricity should be in place at the new resettlement site and these should be completed one year before the dam is commissioned. A family prepares to move their belongings to higher ground. Many families were manipulated, and sometimes threatened, into taking a pittance as compensation. However, there are at least 138 households in Chadong which have not taken compensation. The Government of Manipur is shirking responsibility in rehabilitating and resettling the villagers in a holistic manner arguing that once compensation is given, their responsibility ends. However, the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy of the Government of Manipur clearly states that all resettlement and rehabilitation programmes including basic essentials like water and electricity should be in place at the new resettlement site and these should be completed one year before the dam is commissioned. Villagers wait for the boat to come in. Since this picture was shot (June 30, 2015), the water level has risen up to the window of the house seen in the picture. Photo by Chingya Luithui Villagers wait for the boat to come in. Since this picture was shot (June 30, 2015), the water level has risen up to the window of the house seen in the picture. Photo by Chingya Luithui Perhaps, attending this church for the last time, villagers come out of their Sunday morning service (July 5, 2015). Against all odds, people were praying and hoping that the water will recede. Photo by Chingya Luithui Perhaps, attending this church for the last time, villagers come out of their Sunday morning service (July 5, 2015). Against all odds, people were praying and hoping that the water will recede. Photo by Chingya Luithui With a grim future looming over them, a woman ponders her fate. A villager remarked that many people do not realise the tragedy is not just about losing their land but also about the history of the village, the memories of the land, their ties with nature, and their identity. Photo by Chingya Luithui With a grim future looming over them, a woman ponders her fate. A villager remarked that many people do not realise the tragedy is not just about losing their land but also about the history of the village, the memories of the land, their ties with nature, and their identity. A fire hearth, one of the most important places for the Naga society, lies desolately abandoned. One can only imagine the conversations of love and affection, of loss and mourning, of hope and inspiration that it witnessed in its heydays. Photo by Chingya Luithui A fire hearth, one of the most important places for the Naga society, lies desolately abandoned. One can only imagine the conversations of love and affection, of loss and mourning, of hope and inspiration that it witnessed in its heydays. Storm clouds gather over the paddy fields of Thoyee (Thawai) village. At least 5 kilometers upstream of the dam, the paddy fields visible in this picture would all be completely submerged. At least 5 villages will have their fields totally or partially submerged. However, they are not part of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy solely because their homesteads are not affected. "At the end of the day, even if our houses are not under water, our survival will be," remarked a woman from Thoyee village. Storm clouds gather over the paddy fields of Thoyee (Thawai) village. At least 5 kilometers upstream of the dam, the paddy fields visible in this picture would all be completely submerged. At least 5 villages will have their fields totally or partially submerged. However, they are not part of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy solely because their homesteads are not affected. “At the end of the day, even if our houses are not under water, our survival will be,” remarked a woman from Thoyee village. Photo by Chingya Luithui http://morungexpress.com/lives-of-thousands-in-peril-as-ma…/ Morung express Photos by Chingya Luithui