Deadlock over land acquisition for NH-2 expansion continues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, July 27 2021:
The Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairmen/Chiefs' Association (Taphou Kuki-Gamgiphai) has urged the government to act according to the people's wishes if it does not have any problem with the demand of the affected victims.
A joint meeting between the government officials led by the commissioner (revenue) and senior police officials led by ADGP L Kailun, and local residents whose lands have been affected by the land acquisition for expansion of NH-2 under packages 4B and 5A was held at Conference Hall of DC Kangpokpi district on Tuesday.
The meeting was also attended by commissioner (works), ADGP Clay Khongsai, DIG Range-4 Angam Kamei, SP Kangpokpi and leaders of AHLAVCCA, Kangpokpi District Joint Chiefs' Coordinating Committee on Land Matters, TSA Sa-dar Hills, and All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union, Kalapahar Unit.
During a press conference held after the meeting, AHLAVCCA assistant spokesperson Thanglen Kipgen said that earlier they had announced that unless the issue of NH-2 expansion was amicably resolved and the land was declared un-surveyed no more meetings and talks would be entertained.
However, reposing faith in the government they again attended the lengthy meeting, but the government had not changed its stand over the issue during the meeting and it ended without any solution like before, he added.
Thanglen said that more than 10 unfruitful meetings had already been held and "we are already fed up and tired of such meetings that ended without any solution".
He pointed out that during the meeting they asked the government officials and the senior police officials whether the government had any problem with the demand of the affected land owners to which the government representatives responded that the government had no problem at all.
"Then, we told them that let the government act according to the wishes of the people if it doesn't have any problem...
why creating unnecessary hurdles when there are no problems at all," he added.
The spokesperson continued that it has become a matter of concern the way the government remains adamant on the issue against the wishes of the affected victims, adding that it would not be wrong to consider that "there is some hidden agenda of the government over the issue of National Highway-2 expansion".
He further said that Tuesday's meeting was the final meeting with the government, adding, "We will no more join such meetings in the future unless the government resolve the issue and declare the affected land as un-surveyed land as stated before for our stand on the issue is clear and final" .
He then cautioned that in case the government fails to act according to the wishes of the affected people and use force to bulldoze its way, then "we will defend our land till our last drop of blood" .