Womenfolk of Maha Kabui Namching village protest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17 2012:
Villagers of Maha Kabui Namching village have threatened to launch various forms of agitation including bandhs and blockades if the State Government and 9 Sector Assam Rifles do not drop the plan of allegedly 'forcibly' acquiring the village land within five days.
Womefolk of Maha Kabui Namching, Konthoujam Maning Kabui and Khonglong staged sit-in-protests at these three different locations against the 'forced' acquisition of land today.
The villagers are set to launch different forms of agitation if the Government fails to give a positive response within five days, said Maha Kabui Namching Women Society executive member R Jeisa.
While speaking to a group of reporters at Maha Kabui Namching village, she said that the State Government had already given away a total area of 209.02 acres to Assam Rifles.
Even as compensation amount for the said acquisition has not yet been given, the SDC Kangchup issued a notice to village Chief Poubi R Naga to vacate another 24.515 acres of land so that the Government may hand over the said area to Assam Rifles.
Although, the village complained the State Government in this regard by submitting a memorandum, she added.
Saying that the State Government however did not listen to the complaint of the villagers, Jeisa further informed that Government officials came in the village on October 1 to conduct a survey of the land to be handed over to AR.
However, they were not allowed to enter the village by the womenfolk of the village, she added.
Jesia further said that Government's move has violated the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People approved by the UN Human Rights Council on June 29, 2006 .
The decision of the Government has also sidelined the Village Authorities Act 1956 which is currently enforced in the hill districts of Manipur.
Maintaining that Manipur Land Revenue Act could not be enforced in the hill areas, Jesia asserted that no land would be handed over to Assam Rifles.
The villagers would stand against the move of the Government till the last moment of their lives, she added.
Another memorandum requesting the Chief Minister O Ibobi to revoke the decision would be submitted soon, she said.
Womefolk of Konthoujam Maning Kabui village and Khonglong Part-I and II and III also staged same sit-in-protests on the side of NH-37 .