Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 07 2009:
Objecting to the move of acquiring 25.875 acres of cultivable paddy land in Yurembam, Patsoi and Tabungkhok for installation of a 400 KV power sub-station under the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI), farmers took out a protest rally at Yurembam today.
Carrying placards inscribed with slogans like 'We object to taking over our cultivable land, 'Paddy land is our source of sustenance', 'Don't endangered the life of people', '400 KV power sub-station should be constructed in inhabited area', etc, the farmers coming from these three would be affected villages participated in the protest rally organised under the aegis of Yurembam-Patsoi-Tabungkhok Land Protection Demand Committee.
The protest rally was taken out till the gate of PGCI office complex at Yurembam.
It may be noted here the move to install a new power station after acquiring 25.876 acres of cultivable land from Patsoi, Yurembam and Tabungkhok area has been made inspite of a 132 KV power sub-station of PGCI is already existing at Yurembam Mayai Leikai.
For acquisition of the required land, the Revenue Department, Government of Manipur issued notice (No.4/15/LA/2009 (Com) Rev) on July 12 last.
Addressing a press conference after the protest rally at Yurembam Mayai Leikai, general secretary of Yurembam-Patsoi-Tabungkhok Land Protection Committee L Helenchandra informed that none of the land owners have been given prior information about the land acquisition move.
Stating firmly that the farmers who live on agricultural activities would never allow their cultivable land to be acquired for the purpose of constructing the power station, Helenchandra warned of launching various intense agitations if the Government acted against the wishes of the people and tried to acquire the land forcefully.
Informing that around 820 quintal of paddy are being yielded annually from the 25.876 acres of land which the Government proposed to acquire, Helenchandra pointed out that the existing 132 KV power sub-station at Yurembam Mayai Leikai has been exposing the people to low voltage shock when they walk under the high power line specially during rainy season.
In such a situation, setting up of another power station with higher voltage that would require installation of wires over the houses, road and paddy field of the villagers would endangered their lives even more, Helenchandra contended.
Memorandum highlighting the objection of the people to the proposal of constructing a 400 KV power sub-station and acquisition of their paddy field for the purpose have already been reportedly submitted to the Governor, Chief Minister, Power Minister, Revenue Minister, MP, Speaker and MLA of Patsoi Assembly Constituency on July 30 .