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Imphal, January 7
A youth was killed and another critically injured when the roof of a crumbled building collapsed on them in Leimakhong village area in Senapati district early on Thursday.
The deceased were cleaning the floor of the building when the incident occurred around 9 am. The building was damaged by the recent earthquake that shook the state on January 4. The dead has been identified as Mangboi Touthang, 23, of Leimakhong and the injured as Jangningthang Touthang, 22, of Saikul. The injured has been admitted to hospital.
Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) today extended its deepest condolence and grief to the victims of the January 4 earthquake.
A CRAM statement expressed concern about the mega structures built by the Manipur government and corporate bodies for public purposes in the state. It said scores of structures including the Ima markets, sacred temples at Kangla Fort, Singda Dam and the only flyover of the Imphal city developed extensive cracks due to the tremor.
Some tunnels of Trans Asian Railway in Tamenglong district and the towers of World Bank funded High Voltage Transmission lines were reported damaged in the quake, CRAM said.
Manipur’s proximity and location in very high Seismic Zone V, requires a cautious and inevitable consideration on seismic aspect and impacts in all development planning and processes, it said.
It said the proposed plans for building Tipaimukh Dam, Pabram and Irang Hydel Projects and other mega dams under the Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012, the proposed Oil Exploration Plans in Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts, the extensive tunnelling and construction works for both Trans Asian Railway and Trans Asian Highway and multitude of other large scale development projects within Manipur need serious introspection for their feasibility and rationality.
There should be a clear review of the existing mega development structures like Mapithel Dam, CRAM demanded and added that the projects such as Singda Dam and Khuga Dam need due consideration in view of seismic impacts.
