Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 18 2009:
A public meeting cum sit-in-protest was organised at Chingarel Tejpur ground today with representatives of various State level organisations and the locals participating in it that culminated with the adoption of various resolutions.
The meeting was held to highlight strong opposition to the State Government's proposed move for setting up an Industrial Growth Centre at agricultural (paddy) land.
At the sit-in-protest during which placards displayed resolve of the people against taking up nonagricultural development activities at cultivable sites and urging the State authorities to initiate industrial units at hill areas.
Apart from affirming to oppose the Government move the meeting also resolved to approach State authorities for passing a bill in the Assembly to ensure agricultural sites are not converted into homestead land, usage of cultivable land only for agricultural purposes and to boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha election in case the Govt do not withdraw move to set up the Industrial Growth Centre at Waiton Mamang Chingarel Loukon (paddy field) within January 25 .
Representatives of NGOs such as MAPI Council, UCM, Union of Social Upliftment, AMUCO, HERICOUN, HRI, UPF, TIPS, ICHAM, UNPPO, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi, Leimakol, All Manipur Women Voluntary Association, NIUCAMO and PALEM took part at the meeting.