Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 21:
To resolve the issue of Langol Laimanai which resulted from killing one person and assaulting many others including women belonging to 13 families in May this year by some unidentified persons for refusing to vacate their place of settlement at Langol Laimanai, a public meeting has been convened on June 25 at the premises of Ima Kunthokhanbi.
This was disclosed while briefing media persons by the representatives of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, Adhoc Committee Laimanai, Namthalong Women Society and the Langol Ningthou Laithung Ching Meira Paibi organisations.
The area measuring 55 hectares has been under occupation of the Thangmeiband Naharol Progressive Horticulture Farmers' Association since 1975.The farm was registered in 1980 under registration number 3164, said president of the farmers' association Ngangbam Ibotombi.
All of a sudden in 1987, houses for Achou Toijam, Rajen Toijam and Dr Brajamohan were built up within the farm area.
When the matter was taken up with Achou Toijam, he said that the house was built as he had no knowledge of the farm being registered in the name of the Association.
On the appeal and recommendation of Achou, five individuals were admitted in the Association.
As the matter was settled amicably, no deeds or documents were put in black and white then.
However, on September 18 last year, one Lakpa of KYKL asked the Association to dismantle the houses built within the farm area.
It was because of non-compliance of Lakpa's directive that one person was killed and many others including women were severely assaulted in May this year.
Since then, all the 50 members of the 13 families have been living without their own homes even though they are currently taking shelter at a relief camp opened for them at the office complex of the Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur.
Speaking to reporters, the displaced people decried the indifference of the State Government towards the plight of the homeless families.
The Government's amounts to saying that there is no place for poor and underprivileged people and that they may perish.
Taking strong exception to the failure of State Government to take up any action even after numerous protest sittings against the Langol Laimanai incident have been staged at different parts of the State, president of the Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur L Memchoubi concurred the view of the displaced families.
She further noted the necessity of ensuring peaceful and settled lives to the displaced families.