TSA objects to construction of settlement area at Chikmi Village in Moreh
Source: IT News

Imphal, October 22 2018: The ongoing works for construction of new houses or quarters at Chikmi Village in Moreh of Tengnoupal district has been strongly objected by Thadou Students' Association (TSA) .

A statement of the students' body said that the plan to construct houses at tribal land for allotment to non tribal residents has to stop as such activity in tribal land sharply contravenes the tribal peoples' right to their land.

The TSA said that their volunteers had visited the site and confirmed that earth-work activities to build hundreds of houses for non-tribal population in tribal land at Moreh Chikim village is going on in full swing.

It further added that a house under construction at the site belongs to one Colonel Nectar Singh, Commanding Officer of the Assam Rifles battalion at Tengnoupal.

The master plan or the plan lay-out of the colony, showing map of the settlement with demarcation of roads and distribution of house plots said to be up to 500, has spread on social media with community members voicing their anger and concern.

It is possible that the army officer might have used his position or influence to acquire the land in connivance with some unscrupulous government officers and anti-social elements from within the community, but this is without the consent of the community and is unacceptable, the TSA added.

"We have not yet established the facts in certainty of how the said tribal land, where a huge settlement of non-tribal population is currently being constructed, landed in the hands of non-tribal valley people.

However, mention may be made that back in the early 1990s some valley people requested for a piece of land to build a temple, later named Kondong Lairembi, in the area where the said settlement is now being built.

In good faith, community leaders (MTC, now HTC) at the time agreed to give a small piece of land with the condition that it has to be used only as a place of worship or for construction of a temple, but not for residential purpose in any manner or under any circumstances", the statement said.

The TSA claimed the land to be theirs.

It added that the rights of owners of this traditional tribal land on which the land grabbing in question is happening must be respected.

The TSA also urged the Government authorities to investigate into the matter urgently and to take up appropriate actions against any wrong-doing officers and any other individuals or parties involved in this unlawful transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.

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