Bodies decry eviction drive
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 17 2013 :
Several social organizations today condemned Manipur Government for deploying police personnel to forcefully evict residents of Naga River Lane, also known as Kabo Leikai here.
Against the backdrop of the Gauhati High Court verdict for status quo maintenance over the land dispute between the Government of Manipur and residents of Naga River Lane, the state Government is rearing its ugly head in the form of most brutal tyranny, said a joint release from the Tribal Youth Council, Manipur, Naga Women Union, Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Imphal, Rongmei Lu Phaum and Imphal Tangkhul Shanao Long.
It maintained that the Naga River Lane is originally settled by tribal people who were eventually issued with plot allotment certificates (pattas) by the Government of Manipur and said that now the Government is deploying police personnel to vacate the peacefully and helpless residents of the locality.
The NGOs also alleged that in a probable act of conspiracy, house of six non-tribal had been pulled down and then the remaining tribal residents in the locality have been intimidated by the Government to vacate immediately informing that a 5-star hotel is being constructed in the area.
Calling the attitude of the Government 'self-contradictory,' the release also alleged that upholding of communal hatred and sectarian advocacy and religious intolerance can be seen in the move of the Government.
It said there are three churches, a theological college and a graveyard in the proposed site for the 5-star hotel.
Condemning the step of the Government, the release further said that the NGOs are going to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC) in this connection to seek justice before the Supreme Court and to appeal to the national and international human rights bodies.