Village heads back Mawphu project

SHILLONG: A joint action committee (JAC) of traditional heads has come forward in support of the 85-MW Stage-II Mawphu Hydro Electric Project, which is being resisted by locals.
JAC chairman James MA Neng on Friday told media persons in Shillong that the project will help in the development of the area.
“For so many years leaders representing this area have neglected us. But with the coming of this hydel project we see a ray of hope and feel that infrastructure will develop,” Neng told media persons on Friday. Explaining how the hydel power project will help in development, Neng said the area does not have good roads due to its hilly terrain but now “the project will help in bringing good roads in the area”.
JAC stated that according to the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the State Government and NEEPCO on April 12, 2012, funds will be set aside for constructing hospitals, roads, schools and toilets under the local area development plan.
“We cannot understand why some people don’t want this project,” Neng said.
Meanwhile, JAC also wants the name of the project be changed from Mawphu Hydro Electric Project to Kongkhen river HEP since the Kongkhen river is the common entity of the villages falling under the project — Thieddieng, Mawphu, Umblai and Nongsteng.
Earlier, residents of Thieddieng village opposed the hydro electric project and accused the acting headman of the village and Syiem of Hima Sohra of bulldozing people’s opinion on this.