Imphal, March 13, 2010: Tension simmering in the surrounding area of Singda over reported construction of churches and houses illegally in Government land has been eased after an understanding was reached in a public meeting held today.

Five houses and a church were constructed by Ireng (Puilong) villagers in the surrounding area of Singda water treatment plant near Singda dam some months back.

Incidentally, the area is located at the junction of Imphal West and Senapati districts.

The encroachment into Government land sparked tension between villagers of Singda, and Kadangband and Ireng since yesterday morning.

However, no untoward incident happened despite the tense situation.

The tense situation was effectively redressed during a joint meeting held at Singda-Kadangband Part I today.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Phayeng Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Kanchup Meira Paibi Lup, Kangchup Chiru, Kadangband Meira Paibi, Ireng Village Authority and the Ireng Women's Society in addition to a large number of people from the surrounding villages.

The meeting condemned construction of houses illegally within the compound of Singda water treatment plant.

The meeting unanimously resolved that houses built in Government land illegally should not be completed until the encroachers can produce written permission given by the Government.

If any one is found occupying these illegal structures, the same structures would be dismantled and no complaint would be entertained in the event of demolition.

Decrying the encroachment and construction of houses, Singda-Kadangband Keithel was closed besides blocking the road since yesterday.

Construction of the houses started some months back in the periphery of the water treatment plant.

But it has been almost two years since construction of the church was started.

Notably, there is a ruling of the Supreme Court which prohibits religious structures in Government lands.

Ireng village is located about 3.5 kms away from Singda.

Earlier, there were instances when cadres of an UG group under ceasefire pact harassed and extorted money from the surrounding villages of Singda.

Strangely, no authority or official of the State Government raised any objection against the encroachment into Government land.

On the contrary, the villagers were accused of preventing supply of water.

Saying that the never prevented water supply, one Kadangband villager said that prevention of water supply could have been possibly done by the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO.

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