Total 24 hrs shutdown today ; Kpi CSOs protest NSU site
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, August 07 2017:
The first collective stir in Kangpokpi district was witnessed today at Kangpokpi DHQs, Gamgiphai and Haraothel (L Tangnaum) under the aegis of CSOs Kangpokpi spearheaded by KSO Sadar Hills against the alleged illegal encroachment of Haraothel, now L Tangnaum hill land, over the construction of National Sports University .
Kangpokpi district will also experience its first shut down in form of the 24 hr total shutdown tomorrow from 6 am till 6 am of August 9 .
The peaceful sit-in-protest at Kangpokpi DHQs began at around 11.30 am and ended at 12.30 pm where hundreds of students and womenfolk participated holding banners written with the words, "Protect district integrity to protect Manipur integrity", "Sit-in-protest against illegal encroachment of Haraothel Land (Sadar Hills) by Manipur State", "Stop hill grabbing, Hon'ble CM Manipur", etc .
The sit-in-protest at Kangpokpi Hqs was organized in front of the administrative office building of KSO Sadar Hills, near Brig Thomas Ground .
At Gamgiphai, the sit-in was organized near the roadside of National Highway-2, mostly participated by womenfolk and which lasted till 1.40 pm .
The protesting womenfolk held similar banners decrying the alleged illegal encroachment of Haraothel land in the name of sports varsity by the State Government .
Hundreds of people across Haraothel, recently known as L Tangnaum village, and its adjoining area also held similar sit-in-protest with similar banners .
An enraged woman of Haraothel said that the people of Haraothel and its chief in particular and the people of Kangpokpi district are not against the construction of the prestigious National Sports University but are against the encroachment of Haraothel the consent and knowledge of the land owner .
Another irritated villager of Haraothel said that the non accommodation of all stakeholders has caused misunderstanding and controversy in any issue .
He continued that the State Government is trying to violate the rights and sentiments of the Haraothel people .
Meanwhile, KSO Sadar Hills president, Thangminlen Kipgen while speaking to media persons at Kangpokpi district at the protest site, said that there is a law of the land which is applicable right from the Prime Minister of the country to the lowest authority .
However, in the case of the controversial National Sports University, the State Government has by passed all laws and is acting on its own authority, he said and added that it is obviously mentioned in its orders granting allocation of land to the Sports Ministry under CS Dag No 1 where they have mentioned the land of Haraothel .
The KSO Sadar Hills supremo elucidated that Haraothel is legitimately hill land under Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council and inspite of our repeated humble appeals and numerous memoranda submitted to the Chief Minister there has been no action till today rather the CM blatantly claimed that there is no any dispute at the construction site .
Considering the strong-headedness of the State Government, it has become, not by choice but out of compulsion, for the people of Kangpokpi district to stand together as one and to protest against the unlawful activities of the State Government, he asserted .
He also said that it is "our humble appeal that the peaceful sit-in-protest be considered and attended to and initiate amicable solution towards the issue."
However, "if our peaceful voice is not heard, we will be compelled to take up volatile necessary step which has already been planned in the form of total shutdown of Kangpokpi district from 6 am of August 8 till 6 am of August 9," he added .
According to a source from KSO Sadar Hills, the total shutdown will include shutting down all activities including traffic, business establishments, Government institutions, educational institutions, etc.
except those exempted from the purview of the 24 hours shutdown .
Earlier it had declared that emergency services, including medical, media fraternity, religious ceremony, electricity, water supply, etc.
will be exempted from the purview of the total shutdown.