Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president Hemant Soren alleged that  the foundation laying programme for the resumption of construction of Mandal Dam in Palamu by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a mere election stunt.

Addressing the media on Sunday, a day after PM’s visit in Jharkhand, Soren said, “In past the PM had made many false promises including reincarnation of Japala Cement factory but nothing was done.”

Soren further said that it is still not clear that who will be benefitted from the dam, as 75 per cent of water will go to Bihar and Jharkhand will get only 25 per cent water.

“This is just the Government trying to dupe people by saying that farmers of Palamu region will be benefitted from the dam. With just a few days remaining for the announcement of the upcoming general elections, the union government hastily decided to lay down the foundation stone of the project,” he said.

Criticizing, the state government Soren said that 30 villages will immerse under water by the dam including Chimoseria, the village of martyr Nilamber Pitamber. “At the same time, around 30,000 people will be displaced but the PM and the CM did not speak a single word on the issue. A numbers of people protesting against the project but the State government is not hearing their voices,” JMM president said.

He added, “The entire process of water distribution is wrong and JMM will protest against. The party demands that Jharkhand get 75 per cent of total water.”

Soren said that the government should review the whole project of Mandal Dam as a total of 100 per cent water 82 per cent will be used in irrigation of land in Bihar and only 17 per cent will be used for land irrigation in Jharkhand.

Speaking on future strategy Soren said, “The Party’s ‘Sanghrsh Yatra’ will resume on January 12 from Palamu. It will provide opportunity to interact with people of adjoining area of the dam. The party will raise problems of the affected people.”