PIL filed against Kabo Leikai eviction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23 2011: A PIL has been filed at Gauhati High Court against the Government's initiative to acquire more land for upgrading Hotel Imphal to a five star hotel .

An official source informed that the complaint filed at Imphal Bench, Gauhati High Court against the Government's land acquisition move in Kabo Leikai, Naga Nullah colony was discussed at the level of Chief Minister today.

The meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi was attended by the Advocate General, Tourism Commissioner, Revenue Commissioner and Vigilance Director.

Suspecting that certain irregularities were committed at the time of land allotment at Kabo Leikai Naga Nullah colony, the meeting decided to ask the State Vigilance Commission to probe the matter.

The meeting agreed that the Revenue Department should furnish a report about land allotment at Kabo Leikai while the Tourism Department would present a plan about the proposed hotel.

The AG was also asked to give an opinion on the land acquisition move and subsequent developments.

Hotel Imphal

In addition to the 3.28 acres of land being occupied by Hotel Imphal, the Government is working to acquire 0.50 acre of land from Government oil depot, 0.25 acre from Government Departments and 1.5 acre from Naga Nullah colony to upgrade the same hotel to the level of a five star hotel.

This 1.5 acre of land which the Government is working to acquire from Naga Nullah colony belongs to 32 private individuals, informed the source.

At present, Hotel Imphal is earning no revenue/profit.

Once the hotel is upgraded to the level of a five star hotel, well-trained professionals would be roped in to run the hotel.

Informing that the Government would bring out a State Tourism Plan shortly, the official conveyed that a report of the integrated tourism master plan for the entire North East region prepared by Tata Consultancy Services has been received by the State Government.

This task was handed over to the North Eastern Council by the Ministry of Tourism.

The report would be jointly deliberated by the NEC Secretary, officials of the Union Tourism Ministry, and officials of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram on June 29 at Imphal, the official added.