Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 04 2010:
Disclosing that they have been threatened by president of Hill Tribal Council (HTC) Jangmang Haokip with the following words "You (land-owners/pattadars) are residents of Moreh, you cannot leave Moreh and must return here after collecting the compensation money wherever it is distributed, may be at the capital New Delhi or under tight security.
And we must have our share of 50 per cent cut", the Integrated Check Post (ICP) JAC has questioned the inaction of the district (Chandel) administration in the face of such bold and open threat.
A press release issued by the JAC even asked whether the Chandel DC has any secret understanding with the HTC president regarding ICP compensation.
All the extortion at Moreh was done by the KNO/KNA through HTC.
Three days' wages were deducted from each NREGS workers by the HTC, it alleged.
The recent incidents concerning ICP were totally different from that of NREGS.
It involved acquisition of dwelling homesteads and making the public homeless.
That was why people came out against the demand for percentage cuts amidst threats, it asserted.
The compensation money was distributed by the Chandel DC by cheques which was later collected and allegedly kept in the custody of the HTC.
However, the cheques were later re-collected by the Government under instruction from higher authority.
Asserting that the Chandel DC is well aware of all these facts, the JAC demanded that distribution/payment of compensation should be delayed until the KNO/KNA is drive out from Moreh and Chandel district permanently.
In case the Government is not in a position to drive out the KNO/KNA, the land owners/pattadars should be shifted to a suitable place under an arrangement by the Government, it added.