Heirok opposes canal plan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 27 2013: Declaring that the proposed Heirok branch canal of Thoubal Left Main canal through prime agricultural land of Heirok would not be allowed at any cost, Heirok Loumee Kanba Lup cautioned that Government of Manipur would be held responsible if any untoward incident occurs consequent to forcible execution of the canal plan.

Stating that people of Heirok had resolved to oppose the canal work at a meeting convened on September 22, Lup secretary T Manglem Singh told newspersons at Manipur Press Club today that the Government's proposal for land acquisition to construct the 100-foot wide canal from Thoubal Multi-purpose Project site to Khongjom through the paddy fields and residential pockets of Leirongthel, Chandrakhong, Kakmayai, Sekmai Khumbi, Ukhongshang, Salungpham, Heirok and Wangjing villages would render many people homeless apart from devastating agricultural activities, the main source of livelihood for these villages.

Terming the Loktak Project as one of the failed ventures in the State with the assertion that many land owners are yet to fully receive land compensation till as promised by the Government, Manglem said against the expectation of the people that Loktak Project would improve power supply situation and facilitate industrial development the people continue to reel under darkness since decades back while there is no sign of any industry worth mentioning.

Contrary to assurance that farmers could adopt multi-cropping Loktak Project has resulted in submergence of vast tract of prime agricultural land, said the secretary who asserted that taking into account Loktak Project's failure there is strong apprehension that the proposed Heirok Branch Canal project would also fail to deliver justice.

With the Khuga and Thoubal multi-purpose as well as the Charangpat branch canal unable to benefit the farmer community it would be foolhardy to expect that the latest initiative of the Government would relieve the farmers in the future, Manglem expressed reiterating that the people would oppose the Heirok Canal Project any all cost.

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