Bandh called to protest site choice
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 04 2014: Raising strong objection against Government's move to set up a Sports University at their locality, 44-Yaithibi Loukon Land Owners' Association has called a 48-hour general strike on Imphal-Moreh road with effect from 6 pm of November 5 .

This was announced by the secretary of the association, L Modun Maring in a press conference held at Manipur Press Club today.

He said that after concealing the Government approval, maps and land records of Yaithibi Khunou (Village Number 44) for around 50 years, the State Government in collusion with MLAs Y Surchandra, P Brojen and DK Korungthang, Thoubal DC and Thoubal Revenue Director recently decided to set up the Sports University at Yaithibi Loukol.

Saying that the State Government is planning to acquire around 642 acres for university, L Modun Maring said that the land includes 380 acres of cultivable land, 100 acres of habitation area and a vast area of hill and forest.

Contending that village number-44 Yaithibi Khunou area comprises of localities like Sora (90 houses of Muslim community), Langthabal Khunou (98 houses of Meitei community), Koijam, Yaithibi Khunou (seven houses of Meitei Christian community) and Laiching Minou (150 houses of Maring tribe), the general secretary pointed out that it is unfortunate to initiate land acquisition moves without considering the provisions of relevant Acts.

Although all these villages are patta land, the State Government in connivance with the said five persons is trying to evict the villagers by convincing the Centre that these villages fall under the category of 'khas lands', he added.

The general secretary cautioned that apart from the announced general strike, the association would fight the land acquisition move in the Court if the Government does not revoke its decision.

Further cautioning that the State Government and the three MLAs must be held responsible for any future eventuality, L Modun also urged the general public to extend cooperation to their agitation.

It may be mentioned that the association had also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the matter.

The memorandum said that the O Ibobi led Congress Government is trying to evict people of indigenous Maring tribe, Harijon Meitei OBC and minority Muslim without abiding by the rule of law.

The memorandum observed that tribals, OBCs and minority Muslims must not suffer at the cost of development.

It said that the land and forest of the tribals are protected under Article 371 C of the Constitution and subsequent order dated 20/06/1972.However, the mandatory provisions of the Constitution have become a mockery at the hands of the present State Government, the memorandum said.

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