Keep paddy fields as such, farmers body urges CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2024: The Loumi Kanglup, Lamphel has urged Chief Minister N Biren to keep the paddy fields of Lamphelpat as such and explore alternative grazing sites for pony.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, Loumi Kanglup Lamphel secretary N Ibohal said that the area being contested between them and the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association was largely marked by thick bushes, reeds and large pits.

This area was reclaimed as paddy fields after sustained and hard labour in 1963-64, he said.

The Loumi Kanglup Lamphel was established in 1975 and it became a registered body in 2018.The group has been engaging in paddy cultivation and other agricultural activities over an area of 120 acres.

But the Government acquired a greater portion of these 120 acres for the Lamphelpat waterbody rejuvenation project.

Thus the group has been left with just around 11.33 hectares, Ibohal said.

In the meantime, 30 acres of land belonging to the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association were also acquired by the Government for the waterbody rejuvenation project.

However, instead of exploring an alternative site in exchange for the 30 acres acquired by the Govt, one official of the Revenue Department issued a forged jamabandi (land ownership deed) to the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association against the area where the Loumi Kanglup Lamphel has been engaging in paddy cultivation and other agricultural activities.

The Loumi Kanglup Lamphel is in possession of jamabandi and has been paying tax for the particular area, Ibohal said.

But a forged jamabandi was issued to the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association after fraudulently classifying the particular paddy fields as homestead lands.

This led to all the problems.

After an RTT application was filed with the Department concerned, it was learnt that the particular area was registered in the name of President, Loumi Kanglup Lamphel, he continued.

"We support conservation of pony but the attempt to confiscate paddy fields from farmers is unacceptable", he asserted.

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