Opposition press for new land law
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 14 2013:
Expressing serious concern over the manner in which big businessmen are buying land in the valley and how the tribal brethrens from the hills are coming down to settle in the plains at their own convenient wish; leaders of the Opposition political parties in the State today pressed Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for enacting a new Land Law to prohibit all such acts.
A delegation of Opposition parties today called on Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to discuss the issues related to Chandel molestation case and the failure of the Central Government to keep its promise of arresting the culprit Livingstone Anal and handing him over to the State Government.
However, after the initial discussion on the Chandel incident, the meeting soon shifted its focus to the need for enactment of a new Land Law in the State considering the seriousness of the matter.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting with the Chief Minister, President of BJP Manipur State Unit Th Chaoba pointed out that since a numberof wealthy businessmen are buying lands in the valley at their own disposal and at the same time the tribal brethrens from the hills are coming down to settle in the valley, which constitute only 10 % of the total geographical area of the State, at their own convenient will, the Chief Minister has been apprised about the serious consequences that may arise from this rising trend.
The Opposition delegation even went to the extent of highlighting the possibilities of a situation where big businessmen of mainland India may attempt to buy huge chunk of land area in the plain.
So, to prevent such a situation, there is the urgent need for enactment of a new land law to prohibit buying and selling of land surpassing certain limit, the BJP leader said.
The delegation of the Opposition political parties also told the Chief Minister that a Committee consisting of intellectuals like judges of High Courts from various communities of the State be formed for establishing a new Land Law in the State without any further ado, he informed.
Though the Chief Minister did not give any assurance to the proposal for a new land law, nonetheless, he acknowledges the fact that it is indeed a matter to be discussed seriously, Chaoba added.
On Chandel molestation case, the Chief Minister conveyed to the Opposition delegates that a Kuki and a Naga Minister have also pressed the Union government for arresting Livingstone Anal, the cadre of NSCN-IM involved in the molestation of film actress Momoco and the assault of another two other male artistes of the State during a musical concert at Chandel district headquarters on December 18 last.
But, as of now, there has been no feedback from the Centre, probably because of the ongoing Indo-IM peace talk and the election being held in some States, Chaoba recalled.
He further informed that during the course of the meeting with the Chief Minister, the Opposition leaders also pressed for establishment of a Fast track Court in the State as done in other parts of the country for dealing with crimes against women.
The Opposition leaders suggested that such fast track court could help in effecting arrest of culprits like Livingstone.
To this, the Chief Minister replied in positive and assured that he would discuss the matter in the State Cabinet.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister assured that matter of setting up an intermediate Panchayat in the State would be discussed in detail and see what can be done.
The Chief Minister also disclosed that Rs 40 crores have been sanctioned as a part of the State's share for implementation of PMGSY in the State, the BJP leader informed, adding that the Opposition team had also impressed upon the Chief Minister over the low salary being paid to the VDF personnel in the State.
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