Is there something sinister going on to destroy Naga River Colony?
- Right to Property a Constitutional Right -

Dr. Wungreiso Valui *

One day hunger strike against the eviction order - Pix (TSE)

Article 300-A, of the Indian constitution provided that "no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law." The forty fourth amendment of Indian constitution amended what was originally provided as right to property under Articles 19 and 31.

The Manipur State government has issued an order to demolish fifty houses (50) and uproot the lives of six hundred (600) people that have lived there for more than 70 years at Naga river colony. The colony is home to many cultures, ethnic groups and religious affiliation.

The Naga river colony symbolizes the spirit of Manipur-diversity. There are Christians, Hindus and Muslims living in the spirit of brotherhood. There are Meitei, Naga, Kuki and families from other parts of India living in unity and harmony in the Naga river colony. The state government should lift up such model colony than destroy it at a time when there is cultural, ethnic and political turmoil in the state.

The state government wanted to acquire the private property and build a five star hotel. Private property can be acquired by the government for public purposes. Is acquiring the Naga river colony for public purposes or is there something sinister going on?

First let us examine the need for more land to build a five star hotel. If you inspect the existing Imphal Hotel, there is enough land to build a five star hotel without evicting and destroying the homes of Naga river colony residents.

Secondly, how can a five star hotel be for public purposes? Five star hotel is for the few. It is for the rich and the affluent. The state cannot destroy the lives of common people for the comfort of the rich, state dignitaries and the affluent in the society. The state government exist to promote and to protect the welfare of the people. Building a five star hotel and destroying lives of many people-rightful private owner is not only unconstitutional but moral wrong.

Land is the source of almost all production. Acquiring private property by the government and tightening the noose around the neck of common people is dictatorial. Wrongful tightening of government control on private own property is ushering in dictatorial socialism. This will diminish free market and destroy sustainable communities. Living in America for more than a decade has made appreciate one the greatest nation in the world.

My children recite their claim that "All men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ... to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

The Founders of American constitution considers property as a cornerstone of man's liberty and happiness.

"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God ... anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist." John Adams.

"Government is instituted to protect property of every sort .... This being the end of government, that is not a just government,... nor is property secure under it, where the property which a man has ... is violated by arbitrary seizures of one class of citizens for the service of the rest." James Madison.

Acquiring private land for five star hotel from the Naga river residents is arbitrary seizures of common citizens for the service of the few. This is unconstitutional and morally deplorable and wrong.

Is there something sinister going on? Is the state government trying to destroy the Naga river colony because of the nomenclature? Is it a sore in the eye of the Manipur state government to have a Naga River colony in the capital city of Manipur?

The residents of Naga River and people of Imphal know that there is enough land for the state to build a five star hotel. Why evict the rightful residents?