Not after compensation : JAC
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, December 19:
Amidst the imposition of restriction under 144 CrPC in the whole district of Imphal West by the District Magistrate, the National Fact Finding team comprising representatives of National Integration Council, Government of India, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and Dalit Education Society, conducted a public jury hearing today at Shija Hospital junction, Langol, Imphal in connection with the recent announcement by the Government to set up a National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Langol, Imphal by uprooting agricultural land, wetland and a number of buildings.
The national fact finding team includes Dr John Dayal, member of National Integration Council, Government of India, Albert Lael, National director of Dalit Education Society and Madhu Chandra, national secretary of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and spokesperson of North East Support Centre and Helpline, New Delhi and Sampaul of Arunachal Pradesh.
The convenor of Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Protection of Residential, Agricultural Lands and Wetlands of Langol-Lamphelpat Areas, Kim Gangte told NNN that the people of Langol area do not want any compensation, but " what we want is to shift the proposed construction of NIT to other place where people have offered their land for the construction of the same".
Kim Gangte, who is also an ex-MP of the Lok Sabha said, "Wrong step of the government has invited the angst of the people.
The government should have felt the pulses of the people first before jumping to a conclusion".
She said, "If the government tries to forcibly take away agricultural lands and residential lands, the outcome could be disastrous.
So in order to avoid such pandemonium the government should listen to the voice of the people".
She also dubbed the present Manipur government as known for waking up after imposing bandhs, strikes, burning effigies, etc.
While condemning the imposition of 144 CrPC in Imphal West district, Kim Gangte also said that in a democratic set up the voice of the public is the most important thing.
The fact finding team would leave Imphal tomorrow and the report of the hearing conducted today would be submitted by the team to the state government as well as the Central government by tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Senior Citizens for Society (SCS), Manipur has urged the government of Manipur to review the decision to locate NIT in arable land in the foothills of Langol which is also uprooting many residents.
In a release, the SCS has argued that NIT at the cost of agricultural land, which is also illegal under Manipur Land Revenue Act 1960, should be withdrawn though setting up of it might be a positive note in a backward state like Manipur.
It further suggested that the institute might be set up in other places of the state which have unproductive high grounds.