Mass rally carried out demanding formulation of Land Use Policy
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 23 2014 :
Protection of Agricultural Land and Natural Resources Organization carried out a mass rally and later submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister today.
The organization first organized a public meeting at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen located at Palace Compound here and then carried out the rally to submit memorandum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at his official bungalow.
The protestors marched towards Chief Minister's bungalow holding placards for demanding formulation of State's Land Use Policy.
However, they were blocked by police at Sanjenthong.
Later, a five-member team of the organization including its President Kh Jila and Advisor Mutum Churamani was allowed to submit memorandum to the Chief Minister.
The demands/points mentioned in the memorandum included establishment of State Agricultural Statistical Authority, formulation of state level land use policy, conducting land use survey every year by Revenue Department, setting up of Land Use Management Monitoring Committee and formulation of market policies for the farmers.
Speaking at the public meeting held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Advisor of Protection of Agricultural Land and Natural Resources Organization Mutum Churamani said that large tracts of arable land are fast diminishing in the State due to lack of a proper land use policy.
Rapid industrialization and urbanization have forced construction of office buildings, factories and residential complexes in arable land.
The State Government should take up effective measures to protect the arable land and encourage the farmers to enhance agricultural output to meet the growing food requirement in the State, he noted.