Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 24 2010:
Nagaland Chief Neiphiu Rio has assured return of the MSRTC complex at Dimapur Town Block-III which was allotted to seven private individuals by the Nagaland government.
The assurance was given to the ministerial team of Manipur government who had an audience with the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and convinced him on the need of the land to be returned to the state of Manipur.
The ministerial team also informed him that prior notice regarding the re-taking of the land was given by the Manipur government.
The ministerial team led by Manipur Education and Transport minister L Jayentakumar and comprising of the tribal development minister DD Thaisii and HAC (Hill Area Committee of the state Assembly) chairman Thangminlen Kipgen visited Kohima and Dimapur on November 22.The team returned back today.
On arrival in Imphal, the minister team said that during their three day visit in the state, they meet with the Chief Minister and other concerned officials of the state.
He patiently heard the appraisal of the ministerial team on the need of the return of the land to Manipur.
Minister Jayentakumar said the Chief Minister assured that "it's a matter of inter-state relationship and justice will be done" .
The Tribal Development minister expressed hope that the Nagaland Chief Minister will do justice in this regard asserting that it will not be fair on the part of the Nagaland government to transfer the land allocated to Manipur government without prior and legally proper notice.
The Nagaland Chief Minister assured them that he will look into the transfer of the land to private individuals without issuing the mandatory show cause notice to be issued before a land transfer.
An official source said that the land alloted to MST/MSRTC was in the possession of Manipur government since the British Raj, much before the creation of Nagaland.
The ministerial team before meeting with Nagaland's Chief Minister conducted a spot verification of the present status of the 4, 241 acre of land at Dimapur Town Block-III.
During the verification, it was found to have been allotted to seven private individuals on September 27 of this current year.
Development of private business centres in the 4.241 acres of land by the seven private individuals and construction of a church inside the complex was witnessed by the team.
During the meeting with the Nagaland Chief Minister, the ministerial team also held consultation about the Manipur's land near Hongkong Market which individuals have occupyied the place refusing to leave the place.
The Chief Minister assured of looking into the matter and do whatever the state can do for its counterpart Manipur government.
Mention may be made that the ministerial team from Manipur visited Kohima to press the Nagaland government for return of the 4, 241 acre of land known as MSRTC complex at Dimapur Town Block-III to Manipur government.
Manipur wanted the return of the land to develop it as a destination point for Manipur vehicles, particularly freight trucks ferrying FCI items and other essential items from Dimapur to Imphal and for stationing of state security forces for protection of state vehicles from anti-social elements.