Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 02 2009:
Strongly opposing the expansion of the Imphal's Tulihal airport asserting it has affected their land, the local residents of Ningombam village attempted to prevent the Government officials from carrying out land demarcation for expansion of the project.
However, land demarcation was carried out in the presence of Chief Minister O Ibobi and Works Minister K Ranjit after police had fired several rounds of tears gas and used other mob dispersion devises to disperse the locals.
Minor injuries of some women protestors were reported.
Many protestors mostly women were reported to have sustained minor injuries.
Earlier, a team of officials of the State Revenue Department who were there for land demarcation received strong resistance from the local residents of the village where the team planned to start demarcation.
The CM and Works Minister arrived at the spot and took stock of the situation and carried out the demarcation work for land allotment for the expansion of the Imphal airport which the State Government plans to upgrade to an international airport.
The Chief Minister and the Works Minister did not call on the protesting locals.
In order to upgrade the Imphal Tulihal Airport to an International standard, various developmental works such as the expansion of the airport, setting up of night landing facilities are being taken up by the State Government and the authorities concern.
For the expansion of the airport disbursement of 80 percent of the compensation for the acquired land has been completed.
However, payment of compensation for the standing properties is yet to be started though it is expected to begin very soon, official source informed.
As per reports, the State Government has also completed the works for facilitation of night landing at Tulihal Airport and that the planes may begin landing at night within May.
Besides, a Solar Power Obstruction Light (SPOL) has also been installed at each of the four hills at Baruni (Nongmaijing) Hill, Heibok Hill, Chingphu Hill and Phunal Maring Hill surrounding the Airport to facilitate landing of planes during night time.
As soon as the Civil Aviation Ministry issue the clearance certificate, aircraft will start landing at Imphal Airport, source said.