Affected families protest quit order
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 06 2014:
People of Ningombam Awang Leikai who have been affected by expansion of Imphal airport today staged a protest demonstration at the local community hall against the Government order to vacate their homesteads.
Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, JAC member Against the Airport Expansion and Extension S Chitrani said that the Government's order sounded like asking them to live like animals.
A quit notice issued by the Wangoi SDO on September 27 was delivered to the affected families the next day.
The notice said that all the affected homesteads should be vacated by October 6 else all would be evicted.
When additional areas were acquired for Imphal airport expansion in 2009, around 700 acres belonging to 220 families of Ningombam Awang Leikai were taken over by the Government.
The Government's action is rather hasty as construction works being undertaken at Heibokching for rehabilitation of the affected families are yet to be completed.
Moreover, there are many families who have not been allotted any alternative land so far, Chitrani said.
Confiding that the affected villagers have no intention to confront the Government, Chitrani sought at least six months' time.
She also urged for completion of the construction works being undertaken at Heibokching in wholesome manner.
Even earth work has not been completed at Heibokching and construction of roads and electrification are yet to be initiated.
The Government's quit notice when rehabilitation measures are far from completion deserves outright condemnation.
Moreover, the process of payment of compensation is not yet over, she added.
The latest round of Imphal airport expansion has affected a large number of paddy fields and homesteads of Ningombam, Kodompokpi, Meitram, Sangaiprou, Malom Tuliyaima, Malom Tulihal and Monshangei.