Imphal, February 11: Questioning whether the Central Government has given any condition on releasing the fund if the proposed NIT is not going to be set up at Langol-Lamphelpat area, the JAC for Protection of Langol Residential Areas and Preservation of Lamphelpat as Wetlands has categorically asserted that it is the duty of the Centre to provide the fund and for the State to select the suitable site.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here today, JAC chairperson and former MP Kim Gangte clarified that the JAC is all for setting up the NIT in Manipur.

However, JAC has got nothing to do in case the same cannot come up if the Government fails to select a suitable site for setting up the NIT.

The JAC has been opposing the move to construct the proposed NIT at Langol-Lamphelpat which is not just a residential area but also agricultural land and wetlands and would continue to challenge such move in future as well.

Without ever considering the option of setting up the proposed NIT at other suitable places like Bishnupur, New Keithelmanbi and Churachandpur where the people are ready to provide the required land, the State Government has been insisting on setting up the same a Langol-Lamphelpat only, she lamented.

Announcing that the JAC would also extend its full support to the agitation being launched against expansion of Tulihal Airport at Imphal by taking over residential and agricultural land, Kim Gangte said that the State Government should not try to create animosity among the different groups of people living in the State and pave way for its disintegration in the name of taking up developmental works.

On the other hand, reacting to the remarks allegedly made by a leader of NCP on the occasion of the party's conference stating that the proposal of setting up NIT in Manipur may be selved as a result of the opposition by the JAC, Kim Gangte said such remarks are unfounded and irresponsible.

The remarks of the NCP leader made on a political platform has only show his selfish motive.

Does NCP has been given the right to speak against the people who are struggling for survival ?, she questioned.

The NCP leader in question should understand that one of the party MLAs had already announced his opposition to setting up of the NIT at Langol-Lamphelpat.

In Langol-Lamphelpat area, NIT issue has become a very sensitive one and the local residents have firmly resolved to fight for justice, she said.

Meanwhile, along with announcing formation of a committee called the Demand Committee on NIT Lamphelpat during a meeting held at the conference hall of Manipur Press Club here yesterday, Demand Committee convenor S Madhu Singh has appealed to the Government for speedy implementation of the project in the interest of reaping the benefits of science and technology as well as that of he information technology.

In a statement made available to the press, Madhu Singh informed that Khumukcham Momon has been appointed as the chairman of the 19-member Committee.

Seeking the support and co-operation of all the social organisations, intellectuals and the general people to the cause of setting up NIT at Lamphelpat, the Demand Committee has also urged the Government for payment of compensation the owners of the affected land as the earliest possible so that the project could be started at the earliest possible.

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