Return back farmlands of Yaithibi Loukon: Federation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 09 2021: Federation of Haomee has urged the state government to return the farmlands it had acquired in Yaithibi Loukon for construction of National Sports University (NSU) to the farmers, as the site for setting up the varsity has been shifted to Koutruk in Imphal West district.

In a release, Federation of Haomee publicity secretary Dr Leisemba Mangang stated that the farmers of Yaithibi Loukon had volunteered to give up their farmlands for setting up the NSU.

However, as the sports varsity will rto more be established at Yaithibi Loukon they have been demanding return of the prime agricultural land, reasoned the Federation.

Noting that some people are trying to build a Mega-Food Park on the said land, which is against the wishes of the farmers, it also reminded that government under the incumbent chief minister N Biren had enacted The Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 to conserve the agricultural lands of the state.

Despite this, some elements are trying to destroy the farmlands and as such the transgressions need to be looked into by the chief minister.

The total area of Manipur is 22,327 square km, out of which the valley area covers only 2,233 square km and of this only 3 per cent is arable land.

Inspite of such limitation, using prime agricultural land for other purposes is not development but a crime against the farmers, it asserted.

The Federation also suggested that if the government takes up development work on the gentler slopes of Yaithibi Loukon, the local farmers will actively support it.

Hence, authorities concerned should take immediate steps for saving the farmlands of Yaithibi Loukon, it said.

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