Solar plant must not affect Mongbung tea garden: Chairman
Source: Chronicle News Service
Jiribam, June 29 2021:
While welcoming the decision taken by the state cabinet on June 23 to develop a solar plant at Jiribam near tea garden, Mongbung village chairman Jannsat Haokip has, however, made it clear that the proposed project should not affect the tea garden of Mongbung.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, Jannsat informed that 40/60 families residing in Mongbung tea garden have been settling and surviving on land inherited from their forefathers.
It was very surprising that the government of Manipur has decided to gift away the land of Mongbung tea garden area to other people as if the land belongs to the government, he said and maintained that no land of Mongbung was presented to the government at any point of time though the land for tea garden was provided to Manipur Plantation Crop Corporation (MPCC) .
Villagers have been taking care of the area after MPCC got defunct, and so it would be not be right if the government alone decides to allot the land to other parties without consulting the village, he said and warned that peace and tranquillity in the area could be disturbed if government takes unilateral decision on the matter.
Appealing to the government not to create tension and torture innocent people in Jiribam, Jannsat stressed the need for reviewing the state cabinet's decision.
He further said that Mongbung villagers welcome the proposed solar plant project but it must not affect land of Mongbung.
The agreement inked with MPCC in 1981 with the government as the witness is still in possession of the villagers, he said and expressed serious concern over the claim that the agreement is in the hands of those who were not party to the agreement.
He said that the land of tea garden automatically belongs to Mongbung villagers ever since MPCC got defunct.