Saipum NGOs called off their agitation of road blockade after NEEPCO agreed to give the villagers of Saipum free electricity. Saipum villagers residing adjacent to Tuirial hydro electricity project in Mizoram planned to boycott the commissioning of the project which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally commission on December 16 at Aizawl.
NGOs of Saipum alleged ill treatment by NEEPCO and even demanded Chief Minister of Mizoram to inaugurate the Tuirial hydro electricity project instead of the Prime Minister.
Chairman of all NGOs committee R. Lalchamliana said, “We were just simple villagers and we did not have any anticipation of the impending environment change the dam would have brought upon us. The sources of our livelihood are all agriculture and forest based. All our agricultural lands and forest are now submerged by the dam.”
In a meeting held at Saipum on Wednesday NEEPCO executive director MS Jyrwa assured the leaders of NGOs that he would personally take the matter to the top wigs of NEEPCO and that free electricity would be given to them.
“All arrangements will be made and a conducive atmosphere with the locals will be worked out. The villagers’demand for allotment of unskilled labours to the villagers of Saipum will also be taken up to the bosses of the corporation,” MS Jyrwa said.
After the meeting and having had the assurances the leaders of Saipum NGOs decided to call off their impending boycott and blockade of the projects’ approach road.
It may be mentioned that Mizoram BJP president Dr JV Hluna had appealed to the people of Mizoram to greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his maiden visit to Mizoram. Dr JV Hluna’s appeal to the Mizo people came following boycott call by Saipum villagers on the day of PM’s visit.
Saipum villagers residing adjacent to Tuirial hydro electricity project in Mizoram earlier decided to boycott the commissioning of the project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally commission the project on December 16 at Aizawl.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially commission the 60 mega watt Tuirial hydel project on Saturday and address a public gathering at Assam Rifles ground here in Aizawl.