Chiefs' body opposes land acquisition process
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, June 04 2021:
The Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairman/Chief's Association (AHLAVCCA)-Gamgiphai-Taphou Kuki has raised strong objection against the notifications issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on May 28 and District Collector (LA)/DC Kangpokpi District on May 31 in connection with the acquisition of land for widening of the NH-2 from Km.262.29 to Km.287 falling under the revenue jurisdiction of Kangpokpi district.
In its complaint memorandum submitted on Friday to the Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi, Association chairman Thangkholun Haokip and general secretary Semson Kipgen contended that both the notifications are primarily based on twisted data to misguide the public and as such would not be endorsed.
Alleging that the rightful landowners and stakeholders were not taken into confidence during the whole process of land acquisition, it pointed out that the demand to transfer land records from Imphal West to CD's office Kangpokpi is yet to evoke any response and the land acquisition process continues to be executed at the behest of "Imphal West Secretariat" with nefarious intention.
The memorandum also recalled the Association's strong objection against an earlier notification issued on April 12, 2021 on the same issue and purpose and cautioned that without the consent of the landowners and the stakeholders the government cannot and will never be allowed to acquire land for any developmental purposes.
It also maintained that all notifications regarding land acquisition executed at the behest of Imphal West Secretariat is against the rule of law and such notifications do not accommodate the survey undertaken by the staff of DC Kangpokpi related to acquiring land for expansion of NH-2.The whole exercise of surveying the land for the acquisition was just for formality and as such the district administration shall be held accountable in case the forewarning is ignored, the memorandum said and intimated to the DC that the people of the district in general and the rightful landowners and stakeholders in particular, will fight tooth and nail for their rights.