NSU should be named Haraothel not Koutruk: Kpi Kangpokpi
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, September 03 2019: Civil bodies of Kangpokpi district the aegis of Kuki Students' Organization have urged MoS (Independent Charge) of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju that the National Sports University should be named NSU Haraothel not Koutruk as per consensus of all stakeholders.

KSO Sadar Hills president accompanied by Zillai Leilon Block president Lunsarael, vice president Satlenson and general secretary, Minlian in a press conference at KSO Sadar Hills administrative office this afternoon expressed disappointment over the dishonesty of the State Government in not following it own repeated commitment and contempt of even the consensus of all stakeholders over the NSU site.

"We were shocked to know that the National Sports University at Haraothel was mentioned as Koutruk during the visit and inspection of the Union Minister despite all our agreement with the Government in the past", said the KSO president while making it clear that there is not even a single inch of land under Koutruk and Imphal West district administration where the National Sports University is located.

He continued that they are not opposing the setting up of the National Sports University but is against the wrong name given to the varsity.

The student leader also said that they peacefully apprised Kiren Rijiju about the facts of the situation and also the fact that the land belongs to Haraothel village in a hill area of Kangpokpi district as well as the failure of the State Government to produce valid documents that the land lies under Imphal West district.

"The Union Minister was also surprised as to how the Hill Area Committee was bypassed while passing the Act for establishment of the National Sports University", he added.

He further said that they will continue to support the setting up of the university but only after all proper rectifications are made in this regard.

Earlier, this morning hundreds of people from Kangpokpi, the neighbouring Haraothel and Leilon areas, who came out to welcome Kiren Rijiju were stopped by the police but the KSO Sadar Hills intervened and brought the situation under control.

The people were approaching the function with various banners which read, "KSO Sadar Hills welcomes Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to NSU Haraothel, Kangpokpi district", "Welcome to Kangpokpi district, the land of the Hill people", "This land belongs to Haraothel not Koutruk", "This NSU Haraothel", "Don't grab tribal land in guise of valley allocation", "We welcome Kiren Rijiju, We come in peace", "Make us part of the NSU, acknowledge our land" .

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