Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 06:
The North Imphal United Clubs and Meira Paibees Organisation (NIUCAMO) has today taken a firm stand to oppose any attempt to give away even an inch of land to either the Assam Rifles or the Army at Lamlongei Matai, Luwangshangbam, Khabam Lamkhai and Achanbigei near Koirengei old airfield.
In a statement, NIUCA-MO said that a public meeting was held today at the ground of Luwangshangbam Youth Club which was attended by 1278 people from different communities.
After minute deliberations, the meeting unanimously decided to oppose any move to give further land to security force in the mentioned areas.
Justifying their stand, NIUCAMO said that though the distance between Sangakpham bazar and Koirengei Duck Farm is just 5.5 kms, the land area given to the security force in this zone is 470 acres.
The land include 2 acres at Chingmeirong Sangakpham (to AR), 3 acres of land at the MSRTC complex (to CRPF), 80 acres at Tandan Pukhri Maning, Mantripukhri to CRPF including the shooting range and the hill areas, 231.47 acres to Assam Rifles at Lamlongei, Matai, Khabam Lamkhai and Luwangshangbam, 74.240 acres at Koirengei old air field, 50 acres at Koirengei bazar given to BSF, two acres to AR at Nilakuthi Vanaspati factory and another 2 acres to BSF at Nilakuthi Drug Formulation Centre.
Despite these large areas presently occupied by the security force, attempts are underway to further acquire another 120 acres of land at the mentioned areas, said the statement.
Reiterating its stand that it will not yield an inch of land, the statement said that towards this end, a 29 member body christened the Committee Against the Further Acquisition of Land by AR/Army at Lamlongei, Matai, Luwangshangbam, Nagaching, Pantilong, Khabam Lamkhai and Achanbigei has been formed.
A ten member office bearer was also formed during today's meeting under Y Birahari Singh as the chairman.
The meeting also decided to submit yet another memorandum to the Chief Minister not to give away the 40 acres of land as demanded adding that such a memorandum was earlier submitted on February 26.Urging the Govt to stop all efforts by the Assam Rifles or the army to acquire more land, the statement demanded that the matter be discussed thoroughly in the upcoming Assembly session scheduled to start from March 15.In case the matter is not discussed and a decision is not taken to protect the land of the people, the Committee with the co-operation of other organisations will impose economic blockades on NH-39 and NH-53 from March 21, it added.