Manipur Brings about Development by chasing the dwellers homeless
Manipur's idea of development is eviction !

Lily Rose Jajo *

Kabo Leikai Evictees hold rally on May 27 2013 :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Hats off to the Manipur Government for in this last decade we are seeing many development works coming up in the heart of the city Imphal. Many new buildings came up, the roads being dug refilled and again being dug and refilled all in the name of development.

What I could not digest as a proud citizen of India is that in the name of development the happy fellow citizens dwelling in their so called homes and locality are being chased out mercilessly and have make them homeless by the so called Manipur Government.

The recent eviction of 100 years old Naga River Village in order to construct 5 Star Hotel it is really heart breaking to see ones sweet home being pull and tumble down where you have many memory lanes since your birth in ones home.

It is sad story for the residents of Naga River are staying in rented rooms and the government has not provided any alternative before the eviction. Yes, no doubt a meagre amount of compensation was given out but its question of ones home.

Another eviction is on the way from Mantripukhri till Koirengei for some government staff quarters. And since the residents retaliated more than 50 persons are put in custody. It's a hidden rumor that Dewlaland and Tangkhul Avenue villages are the next area for coming up development projects by the government.

I would like to question the government is that there are many land in and around Imphal where the government can built and construct many development projects without displacing the homes of the normal citizens. Development works need not cater to the centre of state alone.

I am sure if the so called 5 Star Hotel were built in outskirt of the city the holidaying persons and traders could explore and enjoy more the scenic beauty of Manipur above that the villages in that area would get ample opportunity in employment or shoot up small entrepreneurs. According to my understanding if you start something to bring a change or progress you are not only progressing yourself but to everyone around you and that is development.

As the government has power you can or could displace the following mentioned villages above and many more but we are human being each one of us have conscience. Does not your conscience prink when you are hurting the innocent citizens by assualt and physical voilence and stealing away their homes in the name of development?

If the Government of Manipur does not understand Human Rights and keeps on voilating the people's right to live then it's sad for they are the one who is the protector of the Rights. I don't want any development lets just live like we are living now happily in our sweet homes.

As I was analysing the whole policies and programmes of the Government of Manipur in terms of development works it is looking like its targeting the area of only the tribals and non meitei inhabitants the so called the minorities. My instinct is telling me that my analysing is true but I cannot accept it how could my Government who stands for the people do such irrational thing? I hope and pray that my instinct is wrong.

My earnest appeal to the Central Government and Manipur Government to seriously consider the repercussions of displacing the innocent citizens from their own sweet homes where they have being living from generations to generations.

If in years time when you all are not more in power the then government came to demolish your homes for development works will you all give up easily and happily ? I am stressing again there are still many unused and uninhabited land available in Manipur so please stop harrassing the dwellers to leave their homes and go away.

I sincerely request everyone, NGOs, Civil Societies etc to lets stand together and raise our voices that we the people are not please with the decision of the government and they would obviously listen to us for it's our government.

One should keep in mind that Government existed because we the people are there if people does not exist there is no government. And government as I can still recall the definition that I learnt in school is "for the people, of the people, by the people". It is sad that now adays the Government of Manipur is forgetting who gave them the authority and the power?

I think we the people can also learn a lesson from this is that we have to elect our representative who understands the people and situation and who can stand up for the people but not bring burden and problem.