Imphal, April 23: Acquisition of agricultural land in the name of development projects is a ploy to disintegrate Manipur and sow seeds of animosity among its people, asserted AMUCO president and UNIDEP Campaign Committee convenor R Yangsosong Koireng.

Addressing a public gathering at Itham in Imphal East district as part of the ongoing UNIDEP Campaign, Yangsosong strongly condemned the attempt of the State Government to construct the NIT at Kyamgei Loukon spreading over 300 paris of agricultural land.

Maintaining that the initiative of the State Government is very much against the wish of the people, he noted that the people should stand firm against the anti-people decision of the Government.

Acknowledging the positive points and possible benefits of establishing an NIT in Manipur, Yansosong, nevertheless, conveyed strong opposition against sacrificing fertile agricultural land while the same institute can be constructed in foothills and waste lands.

He reminded that the foodgrains produced from the small valley area is being shared by people of both the hills and the valley.

Citing the case of Manipur University, Yangsosong predicted that the NIT would be upgraded and enlarged from time to time and it would take over more and more agricultural lands once the institute is constructed.

Taking a grim note of concentrating all development programmes in Imphal valley and locating all welfare projects over agricultural lands of the valley, the AMUCO president conveyed strong apprehension that the State would face severe food scarcity and increased dependency on other States in coming years besides reducing the inhabitants of Imphal to the status of refugees.

Putting in other words, funds sanctioned by the Union Government under the cloak of development is meant for just a few privileged class.

For the common masses, all these development projects and welfare programmes are mere illusions and a farce, asserted Yangsosong while adding that UNIDEP Campaign aims at bringing equitable development throughout Manipur.

To defeat the alleged divide and rule policy being pursued by the Union Government, the people of the State need to unite as one, he observed.

Once there is unity in the State, development and peace would become a reality in the State.

The public meeting organised by the UNIDEP Campaign Committee, constituted by AMUCO, AMESCO, AMAWOVA, MEPWAK, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur and other social organisations, was graced by Yangsosong Koireng, chief of Nongdam Tangkhul village Ramthing Jojo, social worker Thangboi Vaiphei, chief of Leingangpokpi Paolet Kipgen, ECDO president Biren Victor, secretary of Moirang Purel Meira Paibi Lup T Kabokleima and president of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur L Memchoubi as presidium members.

Any Manipuri who could not accept the fact that all the indigenous peoples of Manipur are brothers and should live as one would be begetting punishment from God, stated Ramthing Tangkhul.

He remarked that the strained relationships between the hill people and the valley people created by adoption of alien religions was a thing of the past.

Emphasising on the importance of the major community taking greater responsibility in restoring the fraternal bond among the hills and valley people, Ramthing noted that equitable development is the most basic and paramount step towards bringing unity among the people.

It would be of immense help towards the campaign for peace and unity for all concerned to study and share the woes of remote villages in hill areas, Ramthing noted.

He was also of the opinion that any person who preaches for unity and peace while refusing to act accordingly will face the wrath of the God.

The gathering was also addressed by NRC president S Sunilkanta, AMESCO vice-president IB Luwang, assistant general secretary L Ibotombi, human rights activists Phulindro Konsam and AMUCO vice-president KT Rehman.

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