ATRPFM urges for resettlement

IMPHAL, May 14: The All Tribal Rights Protection Forum Manipur has appealed to the State Government to resolve the issue of resettle-ment and rehabilitation of people affected by the Thoubal Multipurpose Project.
It is the responsibility of the State Government to provide and arrange rehabilitation and resettlement of villages affected by Thoubal Multipurpose Project. It s imperative of the State to provide permanent housing accommodation to the affected families and they should have permanent settlement, said a press release issued by ATRPFM.
Right to shelter is a fundamental right of the affect- ed persons which springs from Article 19(1)(e) and Right to Life under Article 21. The State Government has a constitutional duty and authority to arrange rehabilitation and resettlement of affected villages by implementing the directives contained in Articles 38, 39 and 46 and all cognate provisions, it said.
The long pending issue of rehabilitation and resettlement of affected villages of Thoubal Multipurpose Project should be settled at the earliest. It then appealed the State Government to sort out the issue before any agitation is launched.
ATRPFM would be compelled to join hands with the JAC Against Forced Construction of Mapthel Dam (JAC-AFCMD) and act against the State Government if the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation is not resolved at the earliest.