Christian body appeals to Sonia Gandhi against land acquisition
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 06 2011:
A fact finding team led by All India Christian Council (AICC) has submitted its report to National Commission of Minority and Scheduled Tribe Commission and appealed to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to intervene in a panic generated following Manipur governemnt�s �hidden agenda� in land acquisition of North AOC's Kabo Leikai in Imphal to pave way for a five star hotel.
Civil Society fact finding team visited the village on July 27 and the report has been submitted to Sonia Gandhi, National Commission for Minority and Scheduled Tribe Commission, said a statement signed by media in-charge of AICC Angam Haokip today.
National Integration Council member and Secretary General of AICC, Dr John Dayal, has also reportedly appealed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to intervene in �Manipur Government�s threat� to displace residents of Kabo Leikai for the upgradation of the existing state owned three star Hotel Imphal to a five star hotel.
AICC welcomes Manipur Government�s desire to have five star hotel at Imphal and it is a must in the state especially considering the ongoing Look East policy, Dr Dayal is quoted as saying by the press statement, while also adding that the 4.5 acres of land presently occupied by Hotel Imphal is more than enough and much larger compare to many five star hotels in the country.
�We have found the hidden agenda of Manipur Government in converting Hotel Imphal into a five star hotel.
From a notification sent by Under Secretary Tourism to Director Tourism on June 9, 2011 it is very clear that the intention of the state government is to acquire Naga river village (Kabo Leikai) in the pretext of a five star hotel and lease it out to some wealthy individual,� said the statement.
The state government has given a step motherly treatment to Christian minorities in Manipur.
Meitei and Rongmei Christians have been facing all forms of harassments from fellow citizens and the state has failed to safeguard the community, it said.
According to the statement, the village is 100 years old with a mixed population of about 500 living in about 32 houses.
Ethnically, they represent a diverse settlement drawn from all communities such as Meitei, Nepali, Naga and Kuki.
There are three churches, one temple and several graveyards within the village.
The Christian organization has also appealed for the conservation and protection of a lone church inside the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal.
�Kangla Fort is the symbol of Manipur and it will give a symbolic integration to the diversity (in the state) if the church was preserved and protected,� said Madhu Chandra of the Delhi based North East Support Centre and Helpline.