'Encroachment' peeves Minister
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 21 2015 :
IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip has expressed strong displeasure over alleged encroachment and putting up of bamboo fence in some portions of Lalhoiphai village near New Keithelmanbi under Saitu Assembly segment by some people of Moidangpok.
The Minister accompanied by Saitu-Gamphazol SDO N Surjit went to the disputed site and talked with the village chief and some villagers today.
Village chief Holkhopao said that they made their settlement at Lalhoiphai since 10 years back.
Even though there was no problem all these years, around 50/60 people of Moidangpok came to the village some 15 days back and proposed to hold a joint meeting.
Lalhoiphai village has been recognized by the Government and the villagers have been paying land tax.
But putting up bamboo fence right in the middle of the village has bred serious apprehension among the villagers about some untoward incident, said the village chief.
Ngamgthang Haokip maintained it would not be correct for valley dwellers to encroach upon hill areas without obtaining approval of the village chiefs concerned.
"Let the hill people live in the hills and the plain people in the valley.
All of us should promote the fraternal relationship shared by different communities of Manipur since time immemorial", Ngamthang Haokip said.
Later, the Minister made a spot assessment of the buildings being constructed for Kotlen Primary School, Ching-Tamlaya Primary School and L Hengjol UJB School.
He also inspected the buildings of Kotlen Church and Kharam Pallel Church.