Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 18 2008:
To counter the move being made by the State Government to hold a public hearing, the JAC Against the Acquisition of Land for Expansion and Extension of the Imphal Airport has announced imposition of public curfew in and around the office complex of Imphal West Deputy Commissioner, where the public hearing is to be conducted tomorrow.
Demanding the Government to cancel its decision of holding the public hearing on expansion of the airport immediately, the JAC has also warned anyone against participating in the said hearing.
In a statement, publicity and information secretary of the JAC Dinesh Sadokpam said decision of the Government to go ahead with the public hearing inspite of public protest is really unfortunate and the decision of the Government has vividly exposed that it has no consideration for the welfare of its people.
Dinesh said that the Government of Manipur has been betraying the people and trying to take over their land and properties in the name of 'development' and 'public purpose'.
While pointing out that at the time of acquisition of land for expansion of Chandigarh Airport, Punjab Government had compensated the landowners at the rate of 15 million dollar per acre of land, Dinesh maintained that in case acquisition of land is at all required for the expansion of the Airport at Imphal, it should be done with the prior consultation of the people and the Government of Manipur needs to compensate the landowners more that what was given by the Punjab Government in view of limited land resources in the State.
Dissuading people from participating in the public hearing to be conducted tomorrow, the JAC has warned that those who defy the public curfew and participate in the public hearing should themselves be held responsible for any eventuality.
Demanding the Government to cancel its decision of holding the public hearing at once, the JAC has also sought the co-operation of all the people in opposing the anti-people policies of the Government.