Patta given to private parties on river bed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11, 2014: The ongoing drive of IFCD to demolish illegal structures built on Imphal river bed ran into a bizarre yet formidable obstruction when some individuals claimed that they possess patta for the areas they are occupying on Imphal river bed.

This strange revelation was made at Minuthong area along the course of Imphal river.

Taken aback by the claim of Imphal river bed being patta land, IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip instructed engineers of the Department to ascertain the matter with officials of Settlement Department at the earliest.

Ngamthang Haokip maintained that allotment of patta against river bed is unacceptable.

Even if pattas were allotted through fraudulent means, necessary actions would be initiated.

Led by the Minister himself, IFCD officials today carried out a demolition drive along Imphal river bed on the side of Khuman Lampak.

It was for the second time the demolition drive was carried out in Minuthong area today.

There he appealed to all the people to voluntarily remove/dismantle all illegal structures including houses built on river bed.

Construction of such illegal structures not only obstruct water current but also pollutes river water, Ngamthang said.

IFCD Chief Engineer Th Chandramani said that construction of houses with or without patta has seriously affected the riverine ecology.

Human settlement on river bed and disposal of waste materials into the river have aggravated water pollution to an alarming level.

According to the Manipur Flood Plain Joining Act 1978, no structures can be built within 50 metres from the centre of a river on either side.

Referring to the claim of being patta land, the Chief Engineer said that the matter would be confirmed very soon so as to take up further action.

If the houses were built after obtaining pattas through fraudulent means, the occupants should voluntarily dismantle their houses.

The Chief Engineer further sought cooperation towards the department's initiative taken up in public interest.

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