Imphal, December 27: Patta-dars of Star Shopping Complex in Pureiromba Khongnangkhong today organised a protest session (wakat meepham) at the said site to denounc the proposal of the State Govt to acquire the particular plot of land currently in possession of private parties.

The Government is alleged to have made the acquisition move under the pretext of expanding the Cultural Complex site which is being proposed adjacent to the private property informed to be allotted to five individuals.

According to one of the five pattadars, Chingkhei-hunba the State Govt having acquired the plot for construction of Cultural Complex is eyeing expansion towards the 1.5 acre private land which is located at the western end of the Complex area.

Contending that the land owners had been paying requisite land fee since 1971, Chingkheihunba con-demned the Government moves especially at a time when the land owners had been planning to establish Imphal East district�s only shopping complex at the said site.

Disclosing further Government�s process, he referred to a February 21, 2005 acquisition order followed by another on December 21 indicating land valuation with the latest issued on December 24 asking the pattadars to collect land compensation calculated at Rs 50 per square feet.

When the order was served for eviction of land previously possessed by Surana Motors for construction of the Cultural Complex no mention was made of possibility to acquire the 1.5 acre site possessed by the five individuals, he contended while expressing that the decision to acquire the said plot when the same was being intended for public purpose highlights the anti-people policy of the State Government.

Claiming that the pattadars had strictly followed construction stan- dard which is far superior to those built under Government undertakings, Ching- kheihunba questioned whether the State authorities would be able to provide alternative site having the same land value and proximity to commercial centres like at Thangal Bazar or Paona Bazar.

Speakers at the protest session were unanimous that whatever development project envisaged by the Government should not be detrimental to interest of the common people.

When Art and culture Minister Ph Parijat was contacted for comments on measures pursued by the Go- vernment, he insisted that members of the public have every right to express their grievances in a democratic manner.

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