Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 18:
Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) GHQ has announced its decision of imposing a bandh on September 19 in protest against localisation of NIT at Langol and holding of Panchayati Raj election in hill areas.
A decision to this effect was arrived at during an emergency meeting of KSO GHQ, information and publicity secretary of the student body Paotinthang Lupheng informed in a statement.
Explaining the stand of the KSO in opposing to the Govt's plan of acquiring 300 acres of land in Langol to pave way for establishment of proposed NIT, Lupheng pointed out that the land acquisition would create social upheaval as it would lead to destruction of 6 high schools (both recognised and non-recognised) 4 orphanages run by various charities, 10 religious establishments, 317 houses and 274 plots apart from displacing a total population of more than 1860 people.
Demanding roll-back of the proposed NIT at Langol if it is at the cost of land acquisition displacement of the people, Lupheng said if the Govt is bend on establishment of the NIT then it must shift its plan elsewhere where there are hundreds of acres of open land suitable for the purpose.
What could be more gratifying if the NIT is to be located outside Imphal city which monopolises certain public assets and infrastructures in the State, the student body said, while maintaining its support to the demand of the CDSU to establish the NIT in Churachandpur.
As to the impending Panchayati Raj/Zilla Parishad elections in scheduled areas of the Sadar Hills district Council, the student body terms it as a political gimmicks of the Govt for incursion into the tribal lands in the hill area.
How can the Govt be so blind as to hold Panchayati Raj election in places where Autonomous District Council is in forced ?, KSO asked, while pointing out that there cannot be two self-Govts in a scheduled area which is already under Autonomous District Council.
Instead of trying to conduct a futile election, the Govt should quickly conduct District Council elections in accordance with the rights bestowed to the tribal people by the Constitution, the
student body demanded.
Meanwhile, JAC for Protection of Residential Area, and JAC for Preservation of Lamphelpat as Wetland have extended its support to the bandh being called by KSO and appealed to all the right thinking persons and social organisations to extend their support to te cause.