Imphal, March 01: All the members of a family in Langthabal Mantrikhong whose lives have been affected in the process of expansion of Manipur University have threatened to commit suicide inside the campus itself if their grievances are not addressed by the Government even as a Wakat Meepham attended by many locals was staged at Langthabal Mantrikhong Lairam Keithel today to protest the apathy of the Government.

For expanding the campus of the University which has been recently upgraded to a Central University, total land area of 286.67 acres including State land and Pattaland had been acquired till 2004.The protest demonstration was staged today in connection with the move being made by the Govt to acquire another plot of land measuring 1.91 acres in place of the grazing ground of the same land area which was earlier dereserved, but subsequently revoked by an order of Imphal West DC.

Though there is no objection to acquiring the required land for the University, the local people have been exerting pressure on the Government to desist from putting up fencing till an arrangement has been made to provide an alternative site for grazing the cattle as well as in the interest of other evicted families.

However, the State Government has went ahead with fencing of the area with the imposition of restriction under Section 144 of Cr PC much to the disappointment of the aggrieved local residents.

Condemning the attitude of the Government, the local people have been carrying out relay hunger strike since February 24 and a complaint letter has been submitted to the Chief Minister, protesting members of the Young Advance Leaners' Library Association informed.

Meanwhile, Sorokhaibam Amuba and his family members whose entire 1.19 acres of ancestral land including the house have been affected in the land acquisition process have threatened to commit suicide in the University campus itself, if the Govt fails to redress their grievances.

Talking to mediapersons, Amuba said his family members are being subjected to mental harassment and besides causing emotional disturbance because of the apathetic attitude of the Government.

'We are ready to take up the extreme step of committing suicide inside the University campus if the Government do not make an alterative arrangement for them to survive at the earliest possible time', an emotionally charged Amuba threatened.

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