Imphal, January 24: To oppose the move of the State Government to acquire 512 acres of land from Malom and its surrounding areas for the proposed expansion of Tulihal Airport, the JAC Against the Acquisition of Land for Expansion and Extension of Imphal Tulihal Airport has announced its decision of launching various agitations along with the support of other civil organisations.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, JAC general secretary AK Mani clarified that the JAC has no objection as such to expansion of the Tulihal Airport at Imphal as part of the developmental works to be taken up by the State Government under the Look East Policy of the Government of India.

However, acquisition of over 512 acres of land afresh in the name of expansion of the airport and destroying the utility of the land permanently is not acceptable.

Maintaining that cultivable land area in Imphal valley which is just 10 percent of the total geographical area of the State has shrunk as a result of the unceasing development plans and projects being taken up by the State Government from time to time, Mani said out of the total population of the State, around 40 percent of the people are depending on agricultural activities for sustenance.

He pointed out that in accordance with the report of 2004, the total agricultural land in the State was 80,78,000 hectares.

However, after around 50,00,00 hectares of the available agricultural land had been submerged by the Loktak Hydro Electric Project, only 30,78,000 hectares remain today.

This remaining agricultural land has also been reduced to a large extent in view of the developmental plans and projects being taken up by the Government as well as occupation of the land for business purposes by private individuals like setting up of brick field and fishery farms, thus giving a serious impact on the livelihood of those who depend on agricultural activities, Mani observed.

Shrinking of the agricultural land has also led to dependence on food crops brought from outside the State in from outside in the State where its own agricultural produce could meet its requirement in the past, Mani expressed concerned.

Contending that efforts being made to expand the Tulihal airport is not to the benefit of the people of Manipur, Mani said that the losses to be suffered through lost of agricultural land by the people would far outweigh the benefits purportedly to be accrued.

Estimating the value of the land to be affected through acquisition of 512 acres of land including over 840 Sangam of paddy field for the purpose of expansion of the airport as around Rs 100 crores as against a meagre amount of around Rs 3 crores that would be accrued from the project as annual income to the State, Mani said that in this light the move being made to acquire the very land essential for the survival of over half a lakh population smacks of a hidden agenda to bring these people on to the streets.

If at all the Govt has real concern for the people, then instead of taking over new land, the existing airfield could be developed to the International standard, Mani suggested.

Moreover, he added, there would be no need for introduction of cargo service at the Tulihal Airport, if the existing National Highways 39 and 53 are developed properly and Highway protection force deployed all along.

So the State Govt should not try to impose its writ on the people just because it can if it is not in the interest of the people as it could backfire and invite the wrath of the people, Mani said giving a stern warning.

Decrying the failure of the Government to give a positive response to the numerous memoranda that had been submitted by the JAC in this regard, Mani informed that JAC has made all necessary preparations for launching various intense agitations against the Government along with the support of other civil organisations, if it continues to neglect the genuine demand of the JAC.

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