Imphal, December 09 2008: IF THE state government and its concern authorities do not held convened a meeting with them and discuss on the government process to take over land on or before December 14, then they will launch intensified forms of agitations from the next day, said a statement of the Joint Action Committee against the Acquisition of Land for Expansion and Extension of the Imphal Airport today.

Meanwhile, the Malom Tulihal Students Union alleged that some staffs of the SDO Hiyangthang has started insisting to some people to convert their paddy fields as farm land so as to hike the rate of the land value at the time of government takeover.

In the statement JAC alleged that authorities of the state government are processing for taking over the land by any means using forces for taking up the project for the expansion and extension of the airport despite strong opposition from the people to be affected by the project.

After the public hearing on the project was forcibly held on November 19 last, government formed an expert committee and with the knowledge of the chief minister, transport minister and local MLA, state revenue department is continuing spot enquiry, it said.

If the processes continue further without bringing an amicable solution to the take over of the land within December 14, the JAC will launch intensified forms of agitations with the support of the other civil organizations, the statement warned while cautioning the state government to take positive action before extensive damages ad any untoward incidents happen.

The sole responsibility of loss and un-eventuality caused during the agitations launch by the JAC will be borne by the state chief minister, transport minister and other concerned, it said.

Meanwhile, a statement of the Malom Tulihal Students Union today alleged that some two to three staffs has been indulging in insisting the land owners to be affected by the expansion of the airport to convert their paddy fields as farm land so that they could get higher compensation from the government.

There is doubt among the people that it has been done by the staffs with the knowledge of the concerned SDC, SDO and DC, the statement went on to observe alleging that the staffs involved in the matter has also collected Rs 10,000 to Rs.20,000 per acre from the land owners.

It has created a tension among the people said the student body while drawing attention of the concern authorities to look into the matter and take appropriate measures to check the malpractices before any untoward incident happen.

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