Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30:
Strongly reacting to the Government's move to expand Imphal airport, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has asserted that the move lacks justifiable reasons.
Maintaining that the existing 600 acres of land being occupied by the Tulihal Airport is large enough to make it an international one provided the available space is used judiciously, the UCM cautioned that it would be in the best interest of all for both the Union and State Governments to drop their airport expansion plan.
In a statement, the UCM recalled that the Imphal airport was expanded in 1950, 1966, 1970 and 1991 by evicting several families from their homes and acquiring large tracts of fertile agricultural land.
In addition to considerable space available within the airport complex at the moment, a greater area is being occupied by CPWD office, staff quarters, CISF camp and 22 Maratha Light Infantry camp.
Rather than going for jealous land acquisition drive for another additional 512 acres of valuable land, it would be more prudent to shift these extra offices and security camps somewhere else to make space for the proposed upgradation Imphal airport to international standard, noted the UCM.
Acquiring 512 acres of land would mean robbing the people of 400 acres of highly fertile agricultural fields inclusive of fish farms and 100 acres of residential land along with houses, schools, temples etc.
While many acclaimed tourist sites are being occupied by security forces and all foreigners stringently restricted to visit Manipur, the master plan to upgrade Imphal airport in the name of developing tourism sector in the State lacks basic rationale.
On the other hand, expansion of the airport to make space for cargo service also sounds quite unconvincing in the backdrop of the Imphal-Jiribam rail project being implemented vigorously, contended the UCM.
Stating that there is no need to acquire such a large area of land as envisaged in the master plan for Imphal airport, it called for an immediate halt to the alleged act of exploiting the people in the name of development.
The Government should pay due consideration to the strong voice of protest raised by the people, it added.
Cautioning the Government not to go ahead with its airport expansion plan forcibly against the wish of the people, the UCM suggested the Government to pay its attention to shifting away the Raj Bhavan, the Chief Minister's official residence, Minister/MLA quarters and various other office buildings to more suitable places.
The UCM also conveyed deep concern over the ever shrinking agricultural land in Manipur valley and the resulting decrease in food grain insecurity which is further compounded by the incessant influx of non-indigenous people from other States of India.
The UCM further warned the Government of serious repercussions in case it decides to expand Imphal airport browbeating the protesting people.