Nagas decry hydel project

Kohima, Apr 16 : Naga organisations have expressed concern over the construction of a hydel project on the Chindwin, which they fear will affect thousands of Nagas in Myanmar.

Naga Hoho, the apex organisation of the Nagas, apprehends violation of human rights as construction of the project would force Nagas out of their lands at Tamanthi village in Sagaing region of the Naga self-administered autonomous region of Mynamar. The dam is about 35km from the Naga-inhabited Homalin town in Myanmar.

The dam is being constructed by NHPC, under an agreement signed between Myanmar and India in 2004 during the visit of senior general Than Shwe to New Delhi.

The feasibility report for the project was prepared by Colenco Power Engineering Ltd of Switzerland and the hydel project is expected to generate 1200MW power, of which 80 per cent will be sent to Delhi and the remaining used in Monywa copper mine in Sagaing division.

According to the Environmental Impact Assessment report, the dam’s height would be 80 metres and cover more than 3,000 square km, displacing over 1,00,000 people.

Hoho general secretary Chuba Ozukum said the project would affect 67 villages and displace over 1,00,000 Nagas.

“We will discuss the issue in detail in our federal assembly to be held at Kohima next week. As an apex body, it is our duty to safeguard the interest of our people,” he said.

Several Naga organisations in Myanmar have sought support from their Indian counterparts like the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights and Naga Mothers’ Association to stop the construction of the dam.

According to the Nagas in Myanmar, the construction which began in 2007 has been kept in abeyance and since then 2,400 people from Tazone and Laywayyan villages have been displaced without proper compensation.

The Naga organisations fear the project would create health, education, unemployment, environmental and social problems. They allege that this was a deliberate human rights’ violation as the agreement between the two countries was signed without their consent.

They alleged that Nagas are still being used as porters and bonded labourers by the junta-backed government.

Naga Hoho is likely to ask India and Myanmar for adequate compensation to the affected people and respect for their rights in its meeting next week.