Imphal, August 05: Chandel AC MLA BD Behring today informed the Assembly that villagers have been facing a lot of hardships after security personnel started using the surrounding areas of Leimakhong as a firing range.

Raising a call attention motion, the MLA drew the attention of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and stated that using the surrounding areas of Leimakhong as a firing range is against the established norms.

He also urged the Cm to do the needful and redress the sufferings of the villagers.

Quoting from the Field Firing and Artillery Act 1938, Behring said firing range should be shifted every three years and adequate compensation paid to the affected families in case of loss of live and property besides issuing notice to the nearby villagers a week ahead of commencement of practice firing.

Expressing resentment that Army authorities never comply with the laid down norms, Behring said in addition to using the same spot repeatedly, notices are issued only a day before the firing begins giving little opportunity to the villagers for alternate arrangements.

Elaborating on the matter, he said Khunphu Kuki and Naga villagers residing near the firing range have to stay indoors when firing starts.

School going children cannot attend classes during this period affecting their studies, he maintained.

With the prolonged usage of the area as a firing range without any change, crop plantation has been hugely affected with the soil becoming unsuitable for agriculture purpose.

The environment too has been affected as trees have been uprooted.

This has resulted in the loss of green fodder which directly affects rearing live stocks, the MLA added.

The firing sessions have also had adverse effect on the people and there have been cases when still born children have been delivered while several persons have suffered bullet injuries.

This has forced many villagers to flee their homesteads to safer climes in other parts of the State as well as beyond Manipur, the MLA further contended.

Even though the law Courts have ordered compensation for cases of loss of lives and property, the Army authorities seldom heed the Court directives, said the MLA urging the Chief Minister to take up necessary actions.

In his reply the CM said notice on the call motion was received yesterday evening only and comprehensive reports from the Army authorities could not be collected but assured all possible measures would be taken to redress the suffering of the affected villagers.

Continuing further, the CM said Army cantonment was established in 1967/68 at Khunphu village of Leimakhong while the firing range was set up in 1984.