Front Line is seriously concerned by reports received of violent police repression and intimidation of members of the Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam Organization (MDACTO) following a peaceful demonstration in Manipur State on 3 November 2008 . The demonstration was organised by Meira Paibi, the women´s group of MDACTO, an organisation which defends the rights of communities affected by the dam project. Front Line previously issued an appeal concerning the arbitrary detention and intimidation of anti-dam activists in Manipur on 19 September 2008.
Further Information
Posted 12/11/08 According to reports received, on 3 November 2008, at approximately 11am, members of the Manipur Police Department and other security personnel used tear gas, mock bombs, rubber bullets and batons to break up a peaceful demonstration organised by MDACTO. One MDACTO member, A.S. Lungmila, is currently in a coma after she was hit by a tear gas bomb, damaging her skull. Forty-four other female members of MDACTO were also reported to have been seriously injured as a result of police violence following the protest.
On 4 November 2008, reports received by Front Line indicated that nine Manipur Commando police were patrolling the villages affected by the dam. These police were allegedly harassing and intimidating villagers, making it difficult for them to go to the fields to harvest rice. Since the night of 3 November 2008, the Manipur police have reportedly been carrying out raids on the homes of anti-dam activists, amongst them MDACTO leaders Ramthar Saiza (Chairperson), J.S. Wungreiso (Vice Chairperson) and Lenpu Lupheng (Secretary).
On 16 September 2008, Front Line raised the case of members of MDACTO who were taken from their homes and arbitrarily detained by the Manipur Commando police for several hours. During their detention on 8 September 2008, the men were forced to renounce their membership of MADCTO and were warned not to join the organisation again. They were released later that evening. On 11 September, another group of five members, including Ramthar Saiza, J.S. Wungreiso and Lenpu Lupheng were summoned to the police station. They did not go as they feared arrest due to their activities of peaceful protest against the dam project. They have since been forced to stay away from their homes as members of the security forces have continuously carried out raids on their residences.
Construction of the Mapithel Dam began in 1980 but to date the project has not been completed. Several communities have already been displaced by the project and may be forced to move once again should the project proceed as planned. These communities and the organisations which represent them, such as MDACTO, demand fair compensation and an active role in the External Review Committee which assesses the various stages of the project and its effect on local communities.
Front Line believes that members of MDACTO have been targeted as a result of their legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular the rights of the communities affected by the construction of the Mapithel Dam. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of all members of MDACTO.
Action Finished:
This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.
Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.
