Source: The Sangai Express / Jacob Panmei
Jiribam, November 17 2009:
The Government of Manipur is facing stiff opposition from different quarters regarding its eviction order to establish a police training centre at Kamranga Khasia village.
People of the village are also up in arms against the eviction order issued on November 3.It has become a regular feature for womenfolk of Kamranga Khasia village to gather together by striking electric poles at the sight of Jiri police.
The Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong district has also written to his Imphal East counter counterpart to keep the eviction order in abeyance as it may entail communal as well as law and order problems for both the district authorities.
Speaking to this correspondent, a woman of Kamranga Khasia village maintained that they have been settling in the village for the last five decades.
Another woman said that she was ready to sacrifice ever her life for the sake of the land as she was not an encroacher nor a thief.
The Zeliangrong Students' Union, Tousem Area said that together with Kamranga Khasia villagers, it would thwart any attempt of Jiribam administration to annexe the land belonging to Tousem sub-division.
In addition to the affected villagers, ZSU Tousem Area, ZSU Tamenglong District, Kuki Inpi Jiri-Tamenglong Zone, Kuki Students' Organisation Jiri-Tamenglong Zone and Khasi Students' Union Barak Valley Circle have also opposed the eviction order.
The Kuki Inpi Jiri-Tamenglong Zone remarked that the eviction notice served to Kamranga Khasia village by ADC Jiribam was unreasonable as the village falls under Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district.
The Inpi said that the villagers of Kamranga have been living as bonafide villagers by paying hill house tax to district administration ever since when Jiribam was part of Tamenglong district.
The ZSUM has also raised strong objection against the eviction order.
The attempt to construct a police training centre at Kamranga Khasia village by placing it under the jurisdiction of Jiribam is a clever trick to devour a piece of land belonging to Tamenglong district, it said in a press release.
It urged upon the State Government to review the unthoughtful actions taken by state machinery in district and sub-division level.
Claiming that Kamranga Khasia village is an integral part and a bonafide village of Tousem Sub-Division, the Tousem Hqs Students' Union has demanded immediate repeal of the eviction order.
A press release issued by the Union further warned departmental staff, particularly SDO of Tousem subdivision against stationing themselves at Tamenglong district Hqs.
It demanded that the SDO office be shifted to Tousem immediately in the interest of the people of sub-division.
Highlighting that there have been no electricity supply in Tousem since the month of April, it urged upon the authority concerned to address the problem without further delay.
It asked the concerned contractor to complete construction of 33 KV power house before March.