ANSAM puts onus on HAC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 08 2013 : Saying that many people/communities of Manipur are apprehensive about possible loss of land, ANSAM has categorically stated that only the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) can remove this apprehension.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, ANSAM president Seth Shatsang said that all the issues related to possible loss of land due to border fencing along Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district, concerns raised by Zeliangrong bodies against possible amalgamation of their areas in Jiribam as and when it is upgraded the full fledged district status, land dispute in Sailent village and the issue of Choro village, Ukhrul district are all within the purview of HAC.

HAC comprises of 20 MLAs belonging to different political parties.

It is their affiliation to different political parties that the Government has been taking full advantage of.

HAC is being used as a tool by the ruling majority party and the Governor is paying little attention to it.

Seth Shatsang went on to question as to why the Government has not entrusted the HAC all the issues within its purview and also why the HAC is maintaining complete silence on the matter.

Recalling that 36 of Sailent village were set ablaze by people of Saijang village on May 3 this year following which the Joint Secretary (Home) issued an order on May 6 directing authorities to maintain status quo ante of the disputed area, Shatsang said the State Government violated its own order of status quo ante when commandos dismantled three houses and looted Rs 1500 in cash.

Saying that the act of dismantling the three houses was driven by communal politics, Shatsang asked as to why the Government is not entrusting the issue of Sailent village to HAC when the issue within its purview on order to bring an amicable solution.

Questioning as why the State Cabinet is not referring the issue to HAC, Shatsang said that ANSAM may do whatever its takes to resolve the issue although it is an students' body.

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