Imphal, March 09: In a major setback to the State Government's plan to expand Tulihal Airport, coalition partner of the SPF Government, CPI has resolved to oppose the plan and launch a strong people's movement against it.

A team of CPI State Council officials led by secretary L Iboyaima and assistant secretary L Sotinkumar conducted a survey of the areas likely to be acquired by the Government for expansion of Tulihal Airport this morning.

After the survey tour, they held public meetings at Malom and Ningombam Mayai Leikai during which the issue of airport expansion was deliberated at length with the local people.

Addressing the meetings, L Iboyaima stated that CPI supports development activities but protection of agricultural fields is a policy of the party.

Stating that the party is aware of the apprehension and anxiety felt by the people following the Government's airport expansion move, Iboyaima informed that the issue has been put up and discussed in the meetings of the party's executive committee.

Calling for a joint consultation to find out whether the matter should be raised in the State Assembly, or the Parliament or the State Cabinet so as to protect agricultural fields, he exhorted the people to oppose the State Government's initiative jointly.

Besides large tracts of vacant areas available within the existing airport premises, CPWD and security forces are also occupying large areas, observed Sotinkumar.

Acquisition of more agricultural fields in the name of airport expansion is against the interest of people, he asserted.

Declaring that the CPI opposes the Government's airport expansion move, he pledged that the party would fight all such moves.

Stating that the CPI can sense the Government's plan to construct a five star hotel, a cargo godown and to station a large number of security personnel inside the airport complex after it is expanded, Sotinkumar appealed to the Government to see if a new airport can be constructed in the hills as was done in Mizoram.

Many local people who spoke in the meeting observed that even if an airport is upgraded to the status of an international airport, there was no expansion or extension of the existing runway.

They also asked the Government to first utilise the vacant spaces available inside the airport premises at present.

Reiterating that the people are against the Government's plan, they warned they would fight unto death in case the Government attempts to implement its plan by force.

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