NH bandh likely as 'Gentleman approach' to DC fails
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, June 21 2021:
Endorsing the movement of Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairmen/Chief's Association for fair justice to National Highway expansion project affected families, various student bodies of Kangpokpi made a 'Gentleman approach' to DC Kangpokpi for resolving the issue amicably on Monday.
However, it was reported that the 'Gentleman approach' failed as DC Kangpokpi cannot do anything over the issue and rather blamed the MLAs concerned for staying as a muted spectators over the issue.
A delegation of Thadou Students' Association Sadar Hills, All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union Kalapahar Unit, Gangte Students' Organization Sadar Hills, Zillai Students' Organization Kangpokpi, KomRem Students' Union Kangpokpi met the DC on Monday afternoon.
The bodies with a giant banner inscribed "All Students' Bodies of Kangpokpi District endorse AHLAVCCA's demand to honour land survey by DC/LA Kangpokpi and fair compensation to rightful landowners" held a peaceful protest in front of the DC Kangpokpi office as well.
They also held placards which read 'Respect landowner's rights', 'Don't delay development in the state', 'We stand with AHLAVCCA', etc.
Speaking on behalf of the student bodies, AMGSU Kalapahar unit chief advisor Vigyan Koiral explained that the 'gentleman approach' to the DC Kangpokpi for resolving the issue of highway expansion was made but the DC could not give a concrete assurance.
He continued that expectation of the student bodies from the DC as an administrative head of the district became a mockery as the DC Kangpokpi himself told the team that he is a powerless DC, which was never expected by the team.
"Since our gentleman approach could not bear any positive outcome, we are now compelled to resort to any kind of agitation which can turn the deaf ears of the government," he said, adding that the student bodies will firmly stand with the people and endorse any kind of movement to be launched by AHLAVCCA for fair justice.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Thadou Students' Association said that DC Kangpokpi has no power over an issue but rather plays divide and rule policy towards the people of Kangpokpi.
He also said that DC has been playing a blame game over the issue to divert it.
Meanwhile, KomRem Students' Union Kangpokpi and All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union Kalapahar Unit also expressed strong endorsement towards the movement of Asian Highway Land Affected Villages/ Chief's Association.
Meanwhile, Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairman/Chief's/Association said that the association is compelled to take its own course of action after discussion with all the stakeholders and affected victims and would announce next mode of agitation which may include total bandh along the National Highway 2 .