Land scam: Criminal case to be filed against AR, land sellers
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 21 2014 :
The State Government would file criminal cases against two individuals and officials of Assam Rifles involved in the unauthorized sale of two large tracts of land located at Moreh and Churachandpur to Assam Rifles authorities.
The resolution for filing criminal case was taken by the State Cabinet during its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at his Secretariat this afternoon.
Talking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Spokesperson of State Government CAF&PD and Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro said that 160 sacres of land near Kundo Lairembi in Village No.95-Moreh in Chandel district was found sold to 24-Assam Rifles by one Doujaopao Haokip of New Mongjang (Khomnunnom) at a price of Rs.67 lakhs in May, 2005.Subsequently, the Assam Rifles authorities have been requesting the Revenue Department to mutate the said land in the name of the Assam Rifles from time to time and the latest being the DO letter from the Inspector General, Assam Rifles (South) vide his DO letter No.14064/91-Land Cell/2014/470 dated February 3, 2014.However, on investigation by the Revenue officials, the sold out land was found to be State land and also part of the Reserved Forest Area.
He further said that another 247.59 acres of land located at Village 103-Matarok in Churachandpur district was sold to 39-Assam Rifles by one Hentinsong Vaiphei for Rs.17.25 lakhs in 2004 without any authorization from the State Government.
Taking serious note of the unauthorized land deals between two individuals and officials of Assam Rifles, the State Cabinet resolved to take up one criminal case in each of the two land scams, Okendro said.
The Cabinet also approved establishment of a State University in the State in view of the problems faced by Manipur University (Central University) to handle so many affiliated colleges in the State all alone.
Other northeastern states have at least one State University each.
The State Government would table the State University Bill in the coming Assembly Session, Education Minister stated.
The establishment of an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Senapati district was also approved by the State Cabinet besides formation of a high-level committee to look into the demands of the Government teachers, Okendro said.
Further, the State Cabinet approved extension of service tenure of Director of Manipur Health Services for six months.