Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11:
Protest sittings against the State Government's decision to construct National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Langol continues at different localities.
The protesters have been demanding withdrawal of the Government decision.
Under the aegis of the JAC for Preservation of Lamphelpat as Wetland, sit-in-protest was staged for the 16th day today at different localities of Lamphelpat.
Under the banner "Don't make incursions in Lamphelpat other than for agricultural purposes", protest sittings were staged at Langol Lamkhai, Lamthung Ching, Langol Housing Complex, Langol Games Village, Langol Laimanai and Langol Grace Academy Colony.
At all these places, the protesters hold placards which read as "Don't acquire agricultural land", "Don't build NIT at Lamphelpat", "Respect farmers", "We stand against any attempt to destroy Lamphelpat", "Lamphelpat is our life", etc.
Even as the women protesters prepared themselves to confront officials of Department concerned who were expected to come to Lamphelpat for land verification, no officials came there.
Speaking by the sideline of the protest sitting, chairperson of the JAC, ex-MP Kim Gangte alleged that the act of the elected Government going against the wish of people is tantamount to trampling upon democracy and its basic principles.
She also condemned the plan of the State Government to displace a large number of people for the sake of the NIT.
She urged upon the Government to scrap its plan to build NIT at Langol.
The JAC chairperson said that all preparations have been made to take out mass rally against the Government decision on August 17.