Manipur government, as a joint undertaking with SultezJalBitan Nigam Limited and National Hydro-Electricity Project Corporation (NHEPC) is taking up the work of construction of Tipaimukh dam at an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore.
The dam of height 162.8 meter which would be constructed at the joining point of Barak River and Tuibai River located at border between Manipur and Mizoram will submerged not only the villages in the Tipaimukh area but also in the surrounding places.
Villagers are feeling fear of losing their dwelling places and snatched away of their living ways.
In an interaction with the some villagers of villages located 326 kilometer from Imphal in interior Churachandpur district like Tipaimukh and Lungthulien villages, expressed strong opposition to the construction of the dam on backdrop of displacing them.
Ramingthang, a village fisherman said they the people of the area are living by earning livelihood with fishing at Barak and Tubai rivers and with the produces collected by the forest nearby.
They used to sale fishes and forest produces at markets at Jiribam, Silcher and other nearest marketsplaces. They run the family with the income earn by selling these items.
In short, Barak river is the main source of livelihood.
Recently, the Jubilant Gas and Oil company got license to drill oil in the area which worsen the situation of the area and the security of local communities around the region