Strike called in Manipur today in protest

The Action Committee has also demanded immediate scrapping of the MOU signed by the Indian government for implementation of the project, saying it would cause flooding and ecological imbalance in Manipur, Assam and Nagaland states, according to news published on Tuesday in two regional dailies here Shyamol Sylhet and Dainik Jalalabad. The two dailies quoted reports from a Assam daily.

Besides, several thousand people including aborigines will have to be evicted from their ancestral homes in the three Indian states, the Assam daily said quoting Action Committee leaders.

North Eastern Electric Power Corporation signed a MOU on January 9, 2003 for construction of the megaproject to generate 1500 MW power by harnessing water of Borak river at a cost of 6,000 crore Rupees.

It includes construction of a 162 metre high dam to create a water reservoir. For raising the water flow for the hydro-electric project, Borak in Manipur and Tuivai river in neighbouring Nagaland will have to be linked.

Implementation of the project will cause a disaster for Bangladesh, with greater Sylhet bearing the brunt. Withdrawal of Borak water in dry season will dry up rivers in the Surma basin and release of water during monsoon will cause flooding.

Borak, originating in Manipur hills, enters Bangladesh through Assam and is divided into two streamsSurma and Kushiyara.

People of greater Sylhet have been protesting implementation of the project since it was planned by the Indian government.