Govindas negates KPA's allegations
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 27 2023:
The allegations raised by the Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) that the State Government is persecuting tribal people is baseless and very unfortunate.
It has the potential to flare up communal tension while the Government is doing its best to bring unity and integrity, said Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam speaking to media persons at his office at Manipur Secretariat today.
Before making the sensitive statement through the media, the party could have held a discussion (with the Government) and shouldn't have given it a communal tinge, said Govindas while stating that the KPA is in the BJP-led CM Biren's Government.
The KPA giving a communal tone to the eviction of Church at Tribal Colony in Checkon is disappointing, he said.
Govindas stated that including the Tribal Colony, the valley and the hills are all land of the State.
People are residing in the land with the approval and documents/deeds from the State/Government.
At any given time, the Government may demarcate a land and evict.
Development bringing changes is a global phenomenon, he added.
Govindas stressed that the eviction at Tribal Colony was to build a multi storey housing complex.
"The place is not meant for storing firewood or charcoal.
It was done to build a multi-storeyed housing complex.
The eviction was done after relocating the people of the colony to another place," he said.
The Tribal Colony had Type-I and Type-II quarters that were in deplorable conditions.
The objective is to build a modern multi-storeyed building in its place, he added.
Govindas continued that 80 percent of people at Langol Housing Complex are tribal people.
The National Games Village also has tribal people comprising 72 percent of the population.
Also, 75 percent of the people in Lamphel Quarters are tribal people.
Moreover, there are also plans to convert the quarters at Langol Housing Complex, National Games Village, Lamphel, Sanjenthong and Babupara into multistorey buildings with modern facilities including gym and community halls, he added.
Hence, there is no question of the Government persecuting tribal people.
The Government has never acted against any community, Govindas said.
After Manipur became a full fledged State in 1972, there have been many CMs from the minority community like Md Alimuddin (2 years), Yangmasho Shaiza (2 years) and Rishang Keishing (8-years) .
At that time, 38 percent of the State Budget was allocated for hill districts.
Now, this has been increased as 48.50 percent of the total Budget is allocated for hill districts, he added.
On the eviction of the Church at Tribal Colony, he said that according to a 2009 ruling of the Supreme Court, no structure of religious nature can be built on State land without authorisation.
In line with the order of the top Court, the State Government had formulated a policy and a notification was issued thereafter.
Further, State and district committees have been formed.
Also, in line with the apex Court, the Churches in the Tribal Colony were evicted after getting a direction from the Court here and after serving notice.
15-days were also given to the Church to remove all belongings and properties, he said, asking if this was a case of persecuting tribal people.
The baseless allegation raised has the potential to flare up communal tension while the Government is working to promote oneness and bring all communities together to bring about unity and integrity.