Imphal, February 27, 2010: Chairman Semjathang Haokip and general secretary Ngamjathang Lungdim of the JAC constituted in connection with setting up of Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh, asserted that the JAC has never been dissolved and they are still holding their respective positions.

Speaking to reporters in connection with the issue at Aihang village today, the two functionaries clarified that Hill Tribal Council (HTC) Moreh's claim on dissolution of the JAC in March last year is totally false.

Maintaining that the JAC has been actively working on various issues related to the land owners ever since the Government decided to set up ICP in the border town in 2004, the two executives said the JAC would continue in the same vein in future as well.

The duo said, KNA accountant Holkholun Haokip has revealed to them that the actual amount which has to be deducted from the compensation amount of tribal land owners is only Rs 10 lakh, but the percentage cut was later increased to 50 percent so that amount may reach Rs 27 lakh.

They said tribal land owners were asked to submit their cheques to HTC when the cheques were distributed at Moreh police station.

After the JAC lodged a complaint with the Home Ministry on February 23 regarding impoundment of cheques by the HTC, the DC collected the same from HTC on February 25, they claimed.

Semjathang Haokip and Ngamjathang Lungdim also clarified that KNA cadres forced their respective wives to report to AR post at Moreh that UKLF cadres have abducted them.

Clarifying that they were never in the custody of UKLF, the two functionaries said the complaint was made to the AR post by their wives only because the two women feared KNA reprisals.

However, information received from the State Home Department said that the cheque amount which are to be paid as compensation to the land owners have been deposited in the UBI account of the respective land owners with the exception of 16 cheques.

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