Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 07:
Demarcation of boundary between the Langol reserve forest area and the adjoining revenue villages located on the southern side commenced from this morning, to make the stage ready for setting up of the proposed Imphal Capitol Project.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh also visited the site of the proposed Capitol City at Chingmeirong Shooting Range (popularly known as Janmari) to look into the preparation being made.
The most unlikely objection to the whole exercise comes not from land encroachers, but from Assam Rifles side showing inclination to retain the shooting range for its use.
Before the arrival of Chief Minister, a team of Assam Rifles personnel led by a Major reportedly came to the work site at "around 9.30 am and demanded to stop the work.
The AR team expressed the desire for retaining the Shootitig Range for themselves.
Just at that moment, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker TN Haokip and PHE Minister Govindas Konthoujam arrived and told the Assam Rifles personnel that they do not have the right to interfere and it would be more appropriate to discuss the matter with Chief Minister.
The AR team also left the place soon after.
When Chief Minister arrived at the Capitol site at around 10 am, he too made it cleared that AR has no right to object in the work being carried out as all the land needed by the Assam Rifles has already been allotted at Maha Koireng.
Chief Minister also gave strong instruction to officials concerned for taking up the task of repairing the Lilashing Khongnangkhong road well before the scheduled visit of Prime Minister who would be laying the foundation stone of the Capitol Project.
Works Minister Th Devendra, Forest and Environment Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control and Special Secretary, Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East, SP of Imphal West and officials accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
Later talking to reporters, Commissioner (Revenue) said demarcation of boundary for nine homesteads located within 97-Chingmerong (Nepali Basti) and 12 others under 90-Thangmeiband would be done today itself.