Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 16:
A Government order for acquisition of land from Canchipur bridge to Lilong bridge in Kyamgei area for the purpose of developing Leishang Hiden and widening NH 39 has been stayed partly by the Gauhati High Court.
Justice BA Agarwal, in his Imphal bench sitting, passed the interim order staying the process of acquiring the petitioners' land.
The order, however, did not affect the process of widening of NH 39 .
The petition against the Government order was filed by 88 land owners including one Kh Ibomcha.
Advocate BP Sahu assisted by Kh Tarunkumar, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, submitted before the Court that a number of educational institutions, crematoriums and around 100 dwelling houses of which 88 belonging to the petitioners would be evicted by the proposed Leishang Hiden development programme.
In 1998, the Government had notified for acquiring the same area for setting up a water supply plant but it was abandoned later, the counsel said while stating that the Government issued another order on December 27 last year for acquiring the same area of land but for different projects.
In the first objection call notification of December 27, the affected villagers had given their objection and in the second notification, the Government had discriminately deleted 11 persons from the would be affected families, he said.
Staying the proposed development of Leishang Hiden, the Court issued rules to the State respondents asking them to reply on the matter within three weeks.
The Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Revenue) and DC Imphal East are the respondents listed in the case.