Loss of arable land worried Irabot Foundation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 21, 2013:
Demanding protection of agricultural lands in Manipur, Irabot Foundation Manipur has submitted a memorandum highlighting a five-point charter of demands to the Prime Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister yesterday.
A copy of the memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Minister, the Forest and Revenue Minister and the Agriculture Minister of the State seeking their intervention into the matter.
The memorandum highlighted issues related to decrease in arable land areas in the State on account of acquisition of land by the government in the name of developmental projects, conversion of agricultural land into habitat and commercial sites, construction of government offices, schools, brick farms and occupation by the police and paramilitary forces, etc.
The Foundation demanded that the land use policy must be immediately framed and implemented in the State, land acquisition Act should be farmers friendly and ensure their proprietary rights even after acquisition, all arable and agricultural land should be protected and preserved, the Reserved Forest Areas and Protected Forest Area including the valley in Manipur should be protected and preserved and reinstate the land so diverted and acquired in their original position.