Cops disperse protestors, land demarcated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21: State police force resorted to batoncharge and fired tear-gas this morning to disperse large number of people at Kyamgei Loukol, which the Government had chosen for setting up a National Institute of Technology (NIT).

Imphal East Deputy Commissioner Y Thamkishore had yesterday issued a notification informing genuine owners in the 300 acres cultivable land (paddy field) of Kyamgei village No 68 to produce their respective documents during verification processes this morning.

Consequently the people holding documents gathered at the spot when officials assigned to conduct the land verification process showed up with a large contingent of security personnel at around 10 am.

as the government team comprising of the Imphal East DC, SDO (Porompat) and officials of Settlement and Land Records tried to enter the actual site the people barricaded the entry point from the Canchipur College.

When the officials moved a little further away towards Kyamgei Shantipur and were about to begin the land demarcation process the agitated people again raised objection leading to the police force firing tear gas and bursting mockery bombs.

While the people started to run helter skelter in all directions some stumbled during the melee upon whom the police force pounced and baton-charged.

With adequate police protection the land demarcation process resumed after the people were dispersed from the site.

Different facets of the people's opposition to setting up NIT at an agricultural land in Kyamgei

In a late evening development, a team of JAC who called on the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at the latter's official bungalow reportedly staged a walk out from the talks as the Chief Minister was firm on going ahead with the construction activities for establishing the NIT.

Reacting to the police crackdown earlier in the day, Jiban Chingakham, who is the convenor of the JAC formed in connection with the issue, expressed that inspite of the official team managing to carry out their assigned task the development could not be described as a Government achievement/success.

Jiban asserted that more intense agitation would be launched in a day or two to protect the agriculture land. He also reminded all concerned that no construction activity would be allowed within agricultural land.

The JAC had called a State-wide bandh on April 2 apart from a JAC delegation meeting the Chief Minister on the matter.

The CM reportedly assured the JAC team that an alternative site would be selected for setting up the NIT.

Atleast three persons, including two women, got hurt in the police action while several agitators have been taken into custody.

The injured have been identified as Waikhom Modhu Singh (60), Thangjam Tamu Devi (38) and Seram Babi all from Kyamgei Mayai Leikai.

Meanwhile, North Imphal United Clubs and Meira Paibi Organisation (Niucamo) extending solidarity to sentiment of Kyamgei people, pledged all possible cooperation to any movement launched by the JAC.

According to N Boy, founder member of NIUCAMO, which had been at the forefront of movement opposing construction activities in agricultural land since 2005, further course of movement on the Kyamgei issue would be discussed with the JAC and other civil organisations.

Explaining NIUCAMO's stance against converting agricultural land for other construction purposes, Boy opined that State Govt's stiff-necked attitude to the entire issue is merely a provocation by the CM O ibobi Singh inviting for a massive people's move ment as the people are well aware of the fact that Manipur's rapidly increasing population is dependent on foodgrains imported from other States.

At this particular juncture and under the existing circumstances the Govt selecting Kyamgei paddy field for setting up the NIT is not only ridiculous but unacceptable, he added.

Boy also cautioned the CM against toying with the sentiment of the affected people in particular and interest of the State in general.

Condemning the police action against the people of Kyamgei, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur expressed strong resentment against frequent instances of State authorities going against the masses' aspiration.

Pointing to failure and inefficiency of previously established factories, institutions and projects under the garb of development, the women body expressed scepticism of the NIT able to script a success story in the future.

Demanding that the State Govt plan the NIT at an alternative site rather than deprive large number of people from their sustenance, the body also pledged its unwavering support to any movement launched by the JAC.