Wanching Village Council (WVC), Mon district has refuted the claim made in the latest Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Dikhu 186 MW Hydro Electric Project (HEP). In a representation submitted to the parliamentary secretary for power Kipili Sangtam, WVC said the according to the latest DPR, the Dikhu Hydro Electric Project has been “referred and assumed” as located in Longleng district. WVC was of the view that this “diversion, distortion of facts” and keeping the landowners in the dark could not be tolerated anymore.
WVC reminded that since 1982 till 1998, there was a tussle over the naming of the project. However, after the state government’s direction, a joint meeting was organized attended by Wanching, Yongyah, B/Namsang and Tamlu villages in Naginimora on June 30, 1998. During the meeting, it was agreed that the nomenclature of the proposed project would be changed to “Dikhu Multipurpose Power Project,” said WVC. WVC also recalled the agreement that in the event of any disputes, the matter would be settled as per Naga customary law of oath taking and the joint undertaking was reaffirmed for the second time at the residence of the then parliamentary secretary Dako Phom.
WVC said when Manu Energy System Pvt. Ltd. Was roped in, the company also confirmed that the project was located within the Wanching village jurisdiction of Mon district. After pointing out that the latest DPR contradicted the location of the project, WVC alleged that this was a “complete bias and total apathy” towards the Wanching village. WVC also refuted the claims of some villages that the land on the western side of Dikhu River belonged to them and said that the ownership of the “whole Tamlu area” belonged to Wanching village based on traditional and historical facts. On rivers, WCV said the whole length of Yeangnyu River from Aoying to dam site till Menyupheng belonged to Wanching Village except for a portion of Aophai which was given to Yongjong Morung of Yongnyah Village as a symbol of goodwill for rescuing Nginlih Anghya of Wanching Village. Another branch of Lai River extending till Yongpan Vuhleng belonged to Wanching Village and the ownership of these rivers was supported by the fact that community fishing in these rivers was only initiated under the authority of Wanching Village. On land, WVC claimed that Kangching Village and Anaoshai Village used to pay annual harvest and festival tax to Wanching Village and four Morungs of Bura Namsang Village used to pay four daos as tribute to Wanching Village annually.
Kangsung (Ao) used to pay harvest and festival tax and Akshi to Wanching Village annually and Wamaken used to pay Akshi to the Wanching Village, said WVC. The council claimed that when Tamlu Village was established, Tokang Angh was brough from Wanching Village and was made the Angh to rule both Tamlu and Kangching Villages said WVC adding that Tamlu used to pay harvest & festival tax annually. Tamlu also used to pay a dao as “chingmeinyu boon” and a shawl to Chingje Morung of Wanching Village, said WVC.
WVC said that till the time the latest DPR was corrected, the villagers would not allow works for the project to continue and demanded that the company remove all the workers and machineries from the location at the earliest. The council said that the villagers would not be held responsible for any untoward incidents at the project site.
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