National Sports University site issue :: Listen to KAJAC: ANSAM
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, January 24 2021: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has demanded that the Government address the National Sports University (NSU) site issue at the earliest.

"We feel that a responsible Government must hear and respond promptly to the genuine demands raised by Konsakhul Area Joint Action Committee (KAJAC) and "address their grievances befittingly".

While welcoming the National Sports University in the State, ANSAM, in a press release on Sunday, cautioned that the State Government should no longer remain "confused" over the land ownership of the said university and act accordingly without further delay by "conceding to the legitimate demands" of Konsakhul Area Joint Action Committee.

National Sports University site issue :: Listen to KAJAC: ANSAM

The statement then said that ANSAM visited the site of National Sports University on Sunday.

According to ANSAM, the visiting team comprised of leaders from Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), All Inpui Students' Union, Rongmei Naga Students' Organization, Manipur (RNSOM), Zeme Naga Students Organization, Manipur and Liangmai Naga Students' Organization (LNKR) to take stock of the situation on the ongoing construction of National Sports University in Konsaram/Konsakhul a Liangmai Naga village.

ANSAM said the visiting team also had a brief meeting with members of Konsakhul Village Authority, leaders of students/youth and women unions and members of KAJAC at their local Church premises.

"The Konsakhul village is the legitimate traditional landowner of the project site of the National Sports University.

The said village land schedule is bounded in the East�Senjam Chirang; West�Samuk; North� Karakhun; South�Koutruk," stated the Naga student body.

"However, to the contrary, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India along with the State Government initiated construction of National Sports University, Manipur, at Konsakhul village mischievously without the prior consent of the landowner," it alleged, adding, "This act of total disregard of the actual landowner is nothing but an act of suppression and oppression over the weaker section by the Government which is supposed to support and protect them" .

ANSAM also said that this amounted to cross violation of citizens' fundamental rights and the tribals' rights of the people living in the hill areas of Manipur.

ANSAM said it was shocked to learn the "apathetic attitude" of the State Government over the rightful claims and demands made by the villagers and Konsakhul Area Joint Action Committee (KAJAC) to acknowledge the ownership by demanding to change the nomenclature and documentation of National Sports University to National Sports University, Konsakhul, Manipur.

It asserted that Konsakhul village should be recognised as a primary stakeholder and should be made a signatory in all the deeds and agreements related to the said land.