Resort cum organic farm launched
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 26 2015 :
As part of its campaign to oppose setting up of a film city/institute at Chingkhu village in Imphal East district, Chingkhu Village Authority has launched Chingkhurakpa Resort cum Organic Farm with villagers planting several saplings and sowing vegetable seeds at the village today.
Khundrakpam Zilla Parishad member Th Angoubi, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union president Wangkhemcha Shamjai, Editors' Guild Manipur president A Mobi, Information Centre for Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM) president N Rajendro and Meitei International Civic Action Network (MICAN) chief co-ordinator K Athouba graced the launching function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
In his keynote address, Chingkhu Village Authority advisor N Iboyaima said that they do not have any problem in setting up a film city/institute if it is not in Chingkhu village.
Villagers were deeply concerned over the Government's sudden announcement to establish the said institute in the village without consulting them, he said.
N Iboyaima said that the proposed project would affect over 100 acres of agriculture land, several houses and a brick factory, which is currently providing employment to many villagers.
He said that the resort cum organic farm would give employment and livelihood to huge number of villagers.
N Rajendro while speaking at the function said that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had already assured the people of the State that no agriculture land would be affected in taking up development works.
As such, he must not contradict himself, Rajendro observed.
He also said that the Government must never snatch the livelihood of any of its citizens.
It is unfortunate to plan acquisition of over 100 acres of fertile agriculture land although the Government understands that agriculture land in valley area is becoming smaller day by day, he said.
Lauding the effort of the Village Authority to launch Chingkhurakpa Resort cum Organic Farm, A Mobi urged the villagers to continue their campaign for protection of agriculture land.
In his speech, Wangkhemcha Shamjai said that the villagers must stand united against the Government's move to protect their agriculture land.