Evicted families dismiss CM's claims
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 22 2013 : Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's assertion that settlers recently evicted from Kabo Leikai were not in possession of valid land ownership documents and that the Government spent Rs 9 crores as compensation amount has been outrightly rejected by the JAC Against Forced Eviction.

Reacting strongly against the CM's comment at a public event yesterday while speaking to mediapersons at MBC Centre Church, Chingmeirong today in the presence of Naga River Kabo leikai chairman ZV Wungshim and Rongmei Lu-Phuam president Panti Golmei, JAC convenor Santi Lungleng termed Ibobi Singh's claim as totally unacceptable and misleading.

Contending that not a single paisa has been received by any of the families affected in the eviction drive contrary to the CM claiming that Rs 9 crores were paid to them days before their houses were bull-dozed by the Government, Santi wryly remarked that a thorough investigation is necessary as possibility of the said amount being misused/taken by someone close to the CM cannot be ruled out.

Rejecting the CM's contention that Kabo Leikai residents did not reciprocate positively to the Government's official intimations to find an amicable solution, the convenor contended that no invitation was received from the Government for talks.

The ravaged settlement at Kabo Leikai

Instead repeated appeals by the Kabo Leikai locals to meet the CM and discuss the matter was either bluntly rejected or the CM was stated to be out of station, she maintained.

With the regard to another comment by the CM that land documents possessed by Kabo Leikai families were fake ones, Santi insisted that as the residents had been paying land premium tax for the last 50 years of settlement on the strength of the pattas possessed by them officials concerned need to be pulled up and punished if found guilty rather than implicating the citizens for no fault of theirs.

further claiming that out of six families who reportedly received compensation, five belong to the Meitei community and one Muslim family, Santi demanded that in case any other family had claimed compensation amount the details be disclosed so that any misunderstanding could be resolved mutually.

As the six families who took compensation amount moved away ahead of the eviction drive no damage were caused to their properties but the rest of the residents had to endure severe inconveniences as the eviction drive order was issued at short notice, she further accused the Government of being communal in both conduct and attitude.

Substantiating her allegation, Santi questioned why three Churches located in the eviction affected zone had to be dismantled while a Hindu religious place (Shiv mandir) spared from the drive.

Cautioning that any unwanted incident arising out of the Government action should be the responsibility of the Chief Minister, the convenor also described the eviction drive as most inhumane.

Many children who went to school were grief-stricken upon seeing the houses razed to the ground when they returned, Santi conveyed and informed that inspite of their homes being destroyed many of the affected families continue to remain there in makeshift shelters.