Imphal, June 22: Cultivators of Chingarel agricultural fields have raised strong objection against the reported initiative of the State Government to develop a industrial growth centre at Chingarel agricultural fields.

During a public meeting held at the ground Khurai Popular High School today, a new body christened the Waiton Mamang Chingarel Loukon Kanba Lup was constituted against the move of the State Government.

Many speakers who addressed the meeting raised strong objection against State Government's move to take over Chingarel agricultural fields for an industrial growth centre.

They asked the State Government to respect the occupation of cultivation.

Many of them appealed to the Government not to usurp the fertile agricultural fields of Chingarel which are quite productive.

In line with Special Economic Zones taken up in different parts of the country, the Government of Manipur submitted a proposal to establish an industrial growth centre under the State Industries Department at Chingarel agricultural fields to the East of Waiton.

The Chingarel agricultural fields cover about 210 hectares belonging 351 patta holding farmers.

Majority of these farmers belong to Waiton, Tezpur, Khurai Konsam Leikai, Khurai Laishram Leikai, Khurai Thongam Leikai and Khurai Sajor Leikai.

One 55 year old P Sanajaoba who attended the meeting said that they were depending on these agricultural fields for their survival.

He said that at least 50 bags of paddy can be reaped annually from two sangams of field located in Chingarel.

Another farmer said that the cultivators of Khurai have no other place for cultivation than those located at Chingarel.

Asserting that these agricultural fields are very productive, he claimed that each sangam produces more than 25 bags of paddy in a season.

Taking due account of the fertility of these agricultural fields and considering the concerns of the cultivators, many of them joined the appeal not to develop industrial growth centre there.

They suggested the State Government to find an alternative site in which no cultivation can be done.

The meeting ended with a decision to resort to agitation of various sorts in case the Government continue with its plan to develop an industrial growth centre at Chingarel against the wish of the farmers.

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