Protection of agricultural land demanded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 05 2013:
A public meeting cum sit-in-demonstration was held at Sangakpham Bazar to demand an effective Government legislation for preservation and protection of agricultural lands.
The sit-in-protest participated by locals of Kontha Ahallup, Meitei Kairang, Lairikyengbam Leikai and Laipham Siphai (Khunou) was organised by locality Area Protection and Preservation Committee, made up of the four residential areas.
After the public meeting addressed by a number of social activists, different resolutions were adopted with regard to barring agricultural lands from being used for non-agricultural purposes.
The meeting deciding to submit copies of the resolution to the Chief Minister as well as all concerned, asked the Government to put in place 'agricultural land use policy', extend financial assistance to farmers for accelerating green revolution and ensure status quo of existing villages/localities.
Speaking at the meeting, representatives of different NGOs grimly noted rapid shrinkage of agricultural tracts in the state with particular reference to demographic changes at Laipham Siphai (Khunou) area where 2/3 of the erstwhile agricultural land are being used for non-agricultural activities.
Apart from transformation of the area for residential and commercial purposes, they pointed out increasing population of new settlers and expressed concerned that along with decreasing agricultural land mixed population composition of the area pose threat to peaceful coexistence due to differences in interest, aspirations and political ambitions of different communities.
Forecasting that increase in non-local population would be inevitable once the ongoing rail project is completed, they strongly suggested that along with preserving the existing agricultural lands there is need for development of agriculture-related projects in the hill areas to ensure Manipur do not face more food scarcity problems.
The speakers also proposed that construction of Government offices be taken up at barren and non-agricultural locations rather than the present practice of grabbing fertile lands.