Imphal, August 31: The Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) condemned the Revenue Department, Govt of Manipur, and also alleged insensitivity of Governor of Manipur, for insisting on acquiring prime agricultural lands of 67-Langthabal Kunja, Imphal West district for Manipur University complex expansion, despite strong demand by the local people of Langthabal Kunja to withdraw confiscation of agricultural land, their primary source of livelihood and survival of the local populace.

The land in question is also of historical significance dating back to Gambhir Maharaj, said a CCDD statement issued by its co-chairperson Aram Pamei.

CCDD noting insensitivity and callous attempt of the Government of Manipur for the announcement made in the State dailies, also described notification for massive land allotment to Manipur University under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 as condemnable and obsolete 'Land Law'.

The legislation in Indian Union totally undermines 'Public Purpose' and regretably use it as a 'sham' practice to take over people's land.

This very Act has been misused by the Government of Manipur in various cases of Land Acquisition, constituting blatant disregard to all democratic call to consider and respect inherent rights of the indigenous people of Manipur to live with dignity in protecting their inherent land from unsustainable practices of land use, CCDD maintained.

Observing that nothing else could be more appropriate public for usage of 'public purpose' than that of growing more paddy crops for achieving food security, CCDD also questioned high objectives and mission of the Temple of Education whose foundation is based on the undemocratic destruction of livelihood and survival.

CCDD further expressed that continued effort not-withstanding the present agrarian crisis in the state reflects insensitivity and lack of concern on the part of the State Government to issue of the people's livelihood and survival.

The Committee further drew the attention of the Revenue Department to abstain from further confiscation of prime agricultural lands against the will and aspirations of the local people.

It also suggested that gaining public acceptance and comprehensive options would be highly appreciable in attaining constructive decision on facilitating development in the state.

CCDD has been keenly proposing that a non-planned project should not be introduced, and that planning process be undertaken after a wide consultation with the people in the state, the statement added.

The government has witnessed umpteen number of times where the people in the state have protested against policies and projects.

It seems that those in the government and the administration have not learnt any lesson from these protests that the people are asking for a more democratic process of development and not based on projects and associated crores sent down from heavenly Delhi, the CCDD statement flaye and mentioned controversies impeding projects like Tipaimukh Dam, NIT, Golf Course, Capital Project, Manipur University Expansion, Airport Expansion etc to drive home the point.

CCDD also urgently called for a complete re-orientation of developmental process in the state.

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