Construction of Sports University, AH-1 APC writes to PM, CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2015 :
The Asian Peasants Coalition (APC) has written to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister of Manipur to stop the construction of the National Sports University and the Trans Asian Highway (Asian Highway 1) at Yaithibi Loukon.
The intervention of the Asian Peasants Coalition came after representatives of the Irabot Foundation, Manipur (IFM) raised the alleged forced eviction move at Yaithibi Loukon during the 4th General Assembly Meeting of the Asian Peasants Coalition at Jakarta, Indonesia from April 20-21, 2015, said a statement issued by IFM.
The APC expressed concern with the forced eviction plan and the reliance on State security forces to allegedly threaten and intimidate affected communities and especially the failure to take the free, prior and informed consent of affected communities.
The APC had supported the demands of the Affected Land Owners' Association against Forced Land Acquisition for Sports University and has urged upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to intervene on various demands.
The APC has supported the demands to stop construction of the National Sport University and the Trans Asian Highway at Yaithibi Loukon, Manipur without the free, prior and informed consent of affected communities and to shift the National Sports University construction to other locations, especially where communities are willing to donate adequate land.
The other demands endorsed by the APC included vacating all State security forces in Sora High School and end all forms of threats by the Govt of Manipur on communities affected by proposed land acquisition at Yaithibi Loukon.
Stopping financial assistance for construction of AH-1 by the Asian Development Bank without the free, prior and informed consent of affected communities; stopping of arbitrary arrest and detention of community members of Yaithibi Loukon resolving for defence of their land and future by the Govt of Manipur are among the demands raised by the affected people.
At the same time, Irabot Foundation has urged upon the Government of Manipur to stop all forms of forced land acquisition at Yaithibi Loukon and further to concede to the demands of the affected communities of villagers in and around Yaithibi Loukon and to shift the Sports University Plan to other locations acceptable to the wishes of communities.
The Irabot Foundation also urged the Government of Manipur to protect all agriculture land and promote food sovereignty in Manipur.