Joint Action Committee on Naga River Colony Imphal to Approach Supreme Court of India
- All India Christian Council -

New Delhi July 6, 2011

Fact-Finding Team on Imphal Five-Star Hotel Welcomes Supreme Court's Judgment and Observation on Land Acquisition Act 1894
Joint Action Committee on Naga River Colony Imphal to Approach Supreme Court of India

The Civil Society fact-finding team on threat of displacement of Naga River Colony, Imphal welcomes Supreme Court's judgment on star hotel on Noida-Greater Noida Expressway to pay triple price. Fact-finding team along with the public of Naga River colony, Imphal also welcomes Supreme Court's observation on state governments misusing land acquisition Act 1894 to oust poor from their land.

The judgment came on Tuesday when the Supreme Court upheld allotment of land to construct star hotel on Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. Otherwise, Supreme Court orders ITC Ltd, Indian Hotel Company Ltd to pay triple of the existing price.

In another judgment, the Supreme Court slams the Greater Noida Authority's argument on Tuesday that state governments are using colonial land acquisition law to oust poor from their land.

A Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly said, 'Taking advantage of the colonial Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the state is driving poor people to the wall. This is a sinister anti-people campaign started by many states including UP."

A Civil Society fact-finding team led by Dr. John Dayal - member of National Integration Council found that Okram Ibobi Singh's Government has used colonial Land acquisition Act 1894 to oust Naga river villagers. Naga River colony is 100 years old with a population of 500 in 32 houses consists of all major religions including Hindus, Muslims and Christians who are in a majority. Ethnically, they represent as wide a diversity including Meiteis, Nepalese and various tribes of Nagas and Kukis. There are three churches, one temple and several graves.

'Manipur Government's haste move to land assessment conducted by deploying security forces on June 20, 2011, notification to surrender original patta by Superintendent of Police/Vigilant dated June 28, 2011 and land acquisition policy without any rehabilitation program is clear sign of threat to displace the poor citizen of the colony," says Dr. John Dayal.

Joint Action Committee of Naga River colony has approached High Court at Imphal seeking a stay order against Manipur Government land acquisition notification dated December 17, 2010. The case is likely to come sometime this week.

Madhu Chandra, Public Relation Office of All India Christian Council and Spokesperson of North East Support Centre & Helpline appeals Manipur Government to re-consider its decision to acquire Naga River for making way to Five-Star Hotel and existing 4.5 acres land acquired by Imphal Hotel, which is much bigger compare to many Five-Star Hotels in many cities across the nation.

'If Manipur Government fails to listen to the voice of the Naga River colony, Joint Action Committee will approach Supreme Court of India in the light of its recent slam on Noida land acquisition,' says Madhu Chandra.

The fact-finding report is submitted to Indian National Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi to intervene Manipur Government's decision to acquire Naga River colony. The report reveals the hidden agenda of state government to acquire the land and lease out to wealthy individual. Report is available at http://nehelpline.net/?p=568

The Civil Society fact-finding team led by Dr John Dayal, Member of the National Integration Council, Government of India, and Secretary General of the All India Christian Council, Rev Madhu Chandra of the North East Centre and Helpline, New Delhi, Manipur State Minorities Commission member and Ms Anam Pamei, Social Activist. In the village well-known Manipur social activist Advocate Babloo Loitongbam joined them. Rev Prim Vaiphei, President, All Manipur Christian Organisation was also present. The team was in Manipur from 25 to 28 June 2011.

The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders. Several aicc member organisations partner with the Dalit Freedom Network which has chapters in several countries and is focused on making slavery history by ending Dalit trafficking in India.

Sincerely,

Angam Haokip
Media In-charge