Habitat Day : Tales of evictions come out
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01 2012:
Voices of concern were strongly raised against the displacement/eviction of people in the name of development coupled with the demand for payment of fitting compensation to displaced people during the World Habitat Day observance today in the State.
The World Habitat Day was observed today under the aegis of Human Rights Alert at the Manipur Press Club hall.
Victims of land eviction under Land Acquisition Acts and people on whom eviction notice were served participated in the observance programme.
Speaking at the occasion, an octogenarian, Maibam Nganbi Devi, a victim of land eviction of Lamphel Yaiphakol Leikai expressed strong resentment over the manner in which she and her neighbours were evicted by the Government and left without any resettlement scheme till date.
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She said candidates came and canvassed among the evicted people.
But after the election nobody came to their help while urging the Government to treat them as citizens of the land and to respect their dignity.
Recalling the struggle of the Lamphel Yaiphakon Leikai residents some forty years back, Nganbi, now a widow, who is survived by her daughter-in-law and her grandchildren, said the eviction of the localities by the Government without due notification was very unfortunate.
She also called upon all concerned to help the eviction victims in their fight for justice.
VS Meena, the chairperson of Naga River Colony Women's Society said the Naga River Colony is a locality where as many as ten different communities live together in peace.
As such, the decision of the Government to evict the residents on the pretext of constructing a five star hotel is lamentable.
Consultant of HRA, Ksh Onil said that resettlement is sidelined in the Land Acquisition Act.
As such, Land Acquisition and Resettlement Bill, 2002 should be enacted as a Bill.
A documentary film produced by People Before Profit was also screened during the observance function.