Airport expansion: Affected residents served eviction orders
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 27 2011:
Residents of Ningombam Atom and Ningombam were unhappy with the government serving eviction notice before completing the rehabilitation work being taken up at the foothill of Langthabal Phuramakhong.
After having acquired 700 acres of land for expansion of Tulihal Airport, the government again notified to acquire another 116 acres from the surrounding area.
The government relocated affected villages of Ningombam, Ningombam Atom, Malom, Meitram and Kodompokpi etc., Ningombam and Ningombam Atom were the most affected with at least 116 homesteads displaced.
With the assurance of providing new space for construction of houses for the affected families, the government had taken up land development work at the foothill of Langthabal Puramakhong.
However, before completion of the land development, the government has served eviction notices asking the affected families to vacate the place on or before March 31, 2011 .
Helpless residents have turned to local MLA RK Anand.
Concerned over the matter the MLA inspected the progress of land development at Langthabal Phura Makhong today.
Surprise by the lack of progress in the land development, the MLA questiononed how the government could have issued the notice.
Talking to reporters, Anand recalled that the residents, who had strongly objected the government land takeover, agreed to leave their lands following several rounds of talks with the CM, who had promised alternative space and other rehabilitation packages.
It would be better for the government to translate the promises first instead of hurting the sentiments of the people.
The CM should personally inspect the work progress first and act accordingly, the MLA suggested.
The place which government asked to shift the people has no basic amenities like power and water, he asserted.
Meanwhile, affected people alleged that some ministers and MLAs of the ruling front are engaged in the land development work to settle over 1000 persons and expressed unhappiness with their insincerity in carrying out the work.
They termed the ministers and MLAs as mean-minded and alleged that the ministers and MLAs are diverting truck loads of earth transported from the area that is to be developed to be sold for personal profit.
The affected people warned the Ministers and MLAs to stop removing truck loads of earth on the sly as this will invite a strong agitation from their side.
They further warned that until and unless the land development works and basic amenities are provided, they will not shift to a new place.