Namching villagers wary of land acquisition move
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 13 2012: People of Mahakabui Namching village are quite worried about the State Government's move to acquire 24.511 acres of land from the village and hand over the same to 9 Sector Assam Rifles.

Even though the villagers have made it clear that they would oppose the Government's move tooth and nail, they are, however, fearful that the Government would take over the land by force.

Earlier, the State Government took over 209.98 acres of land from Mahakabui Namching village and handed it over to Assam Rifles in 1991 without giving any notice to the villagers.

Speaking to media persons at Mahakabui Namching village today, village chief Rajanglung Gangmei reminded that the State Government took over 209.98 acres of land in 1991 and it was handed over to 28 Assam Rifles without giving any notice or compensation to the villagers.

The said land was a prime agricultural land which was very fertile and where water was readily available.

As such, it was one reliable source of livelihood for the villagers.

A view of Mahakabui Namching village

But the Government showed little concern for the villagers when these fertile agricultural plots were taken over.

The villagers are enduring lots of hardships after this vast agricultural land was given to Assam Rifles.

Again the Government is working to acquire another 24.511 acres of land.

This is nothing but putting all the people of Mahakabui Namching village on the gallows.

"If the Government continues with its plan to acquire more lands, I, as a chief, would kill myself ahead of other villagers", Rajanglung Gangmei said.

Mahakabui Namching village which was first settled by the Rongmei community in 1965 has more than 1000 people.

Majority of the villagers are cultivators and they have been earning their livelihood by cultivating paddy and horticulture products.

Out of the total area of Namching village which is around 700 acres, around 500 acres are suitable for paddy cultivation as well as human settlement.

Rocky and hilly terrains which are not suitable for human settlement make up the remaining 200 acres.

Out of the 500 acres of prime land, 209.98 acres were already taken over in 1991 which gave serious blow to the village economy.

The fresh attempt of the Government to take over another 24.511 acres has shocked all the villagers and they are quite worried about their future, conveyed the village chief.

One Kamei Sanjit said that the Govt should give prior information to people who would be affected in case any land should be acquired under the Land Acquisition Act.

But in the case of Mahakabui Namching village, no notification was issued neither in the past nor this time.

In 2004 too, the Government planned to acquire some areas of the village but the plan was aborted due to strong objection from the villagers.

Within the 209.98 acres of land given to Assam Rifles, there are many vacant areas .

In case the Assam Rifles need more land, they must first use the vacant plots within their camp or they may look for uninhabited lands.

The State Government need to shed the mentality of carrying out forced eviction whenever they need any land.

They Government should never try to forfeit the right to life of its citizens, Kamei Sanjit said.

Lily Kabui of the Mahakabui Namching Village Women Society asked the Government as to why the Government is putting the villagers in such a restless and insecure situation.

Even if all the village women must sacrifice their lives, the said land would never be parted.

When the Home Minister was approached to abort the plan to acquire land from Namching village, he reportedly stated, "How could a plot inhabited by people be acquired?" .

However, Kangchup SDC S Birojkumar issued an order on September 18 for demarcation of 24.511 acres of land in Mahakabui Namching village.

But the officials who came for land demarcation were prevented from entering the village.

After that no officials came for land demarcation, Nevertheless, memorandums of appeal against land acquisition have been submitted to the Chief Minister, Senapati DC and other relevant authorities.