Imphal, March 21: Taking strong exception to the failure of the State Government to a give a definite commitment that the proposed National Institute of Technology (NIT) would not be constructed at agricultural fields, the JAC Against Construction of NIT at Kyamgei Loukon has decided to launch strong agitation indefinitely until the State Government withdraws its decision to construct NIT at Kyamgei paddy fields.

A statement issued by the JAC informed that the people of Kyamgei staged a protest sitting at Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi blocking the road yesterday as they were apprehensive that a team of Govt officials would be coming to Kyamgei to inspect the NIT site for the last time.

Conveying deep concern over the ever shrinking agricultural land in the State, the JAC reminded that food grains produced in the State are unable to meet the demands of the State.

In fact, the State faces severe hardships for want of food grains and other commodities when there is blockade and bandh on National highways, it observed.

Even as it welcome the proposed NIT in Manipur, the JAC maintained that the NIT should not be conducted at fertile agricultural lands but somewhere else.

Of the 7000/8000 inhabitants of Kyamgei, almost 95 percent of them are depending on these agricultural fields for their livelihood.

As such, it would not be politically and morally correct to construct NIT at Kyamgei agricultural fields sacrificing the only livelihood of the people, the JAC remarked.

Meanwhile, the North Imphal United Clubs and Meira Paibees Organisation (NIUCAMO) in association with the JAC Against the Construction of NIT at Kyamgei Loukon has convened a public meeting on the issue at Canchipur College, Kyamgei on March 25 at 11 am, conveyed a press release issued by NIUCAMO.

Asserting that 50,000 hectares of agricultural land were inundated by Loktak Project as against only 70 hectares expected to be submerged by the Project as per the calculation of the State Government, it stressed on the necessity to preserve agricultural land for the sake of future generations.

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