Handing over Oksoi ground to Veterinary Dept; Dr Ibohalbi flays allotment bid
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 30 2015 : MLA Dr Irengbam Ibohalbi has flayed the alleged State Government's attempt to allot Tangleihad Oksoi ground to Veterinary Department without even dereserving the same area.

Speaking to media persons at Ireima temple complex, Oinam Mayai Leikai yesterday, Dr Ibohalbi said that Tangleihad Oksoi was given to Oinam Gram Panchayat (now Nagar Panchayat) by an order issued by the then Chief Commissioner on November 11, 1954 for use as grazing ground.

Before that, the area belonged to the Fishery Department.

On November 25 last year, an order was issued to take over the ground as khasland in fraudulent manner without even dereserving the same area.

The Government has the right to acquire land but the process it adopted to take over Tangleihad Oksoi was faulty, said the MLA.

The area should be first dereserved and due notification should be issued.

Moreover, ample time should be provided to hear complaints and objections from the public, asserted the MLA.

Local people have all the documents which testify that Tangleihad Oksoi is a grazing ground for Oinam village.

Some people dereserved Tangleihad Oksoi in 1988 and pattas were issued fraudulently in the name of 32 individuals.

But all the land ownership deeds turned out to be forged and the authority concerned issued a declaration to this effect.

Oinam village having a population of around 20,000 has been using Tangleihad Oksoi as their grazing ground and the villagers have been collectively checking any attempt to encroach upon the grazing ground.

Yangoi river forms the northern boundary of Oksoi while it is bounded by Meichakpi Pat in the South, Yangbi in the East and Mayangpat in the West.

The Government's attempt to take over the ground might have its own logic.

Perhaps, the Government was thinking that private individuals would encroach upon the ground, Ibohalbi added.

Oinam Nagar Panchayat Chairperson Oinam Budhi said that the Tiddim road bandh has been temporarily suspended on the Chief Minister's assurance to review the process of land acquisition in a Cabinet meeting.

Representatives of the Oinam Tangleihad Oksoi Grazing Ground Protection Committee and Chief Minister O Ibobi met twice yesterday.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar and MLA I Ibohalbi were present at the meetings.

People would decide their next course of action after considering the outcome of the Cabinet meeting which is expected soon, Budhi said.

Notably, six bandh supporters including three women sustained injuries when police swung into action and drove away bandh supporters in the course of the 48 hour Tiddim road bandh called by the committee from 5 am yesterday.

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