Imphal West deputy commissioner Th Kirankumar on Tuesday issued an order, directing the pattadars and encroachers in the district to remove infrastructures along the National Highway/State Highways/Inter-District Roads and other roads etc. and along the river banks located in Imphal West district by 3 pm of June 23.
The order signed by the deputy commissioner further instructed to restore all agricultural lands which have been diverted for non-agricultural activities without approval from the competent authority, to the original positions by 3 pm of June 23.
Failure to comply with the order shall invite strict penal action under the relevant Act and the landowner/encroachers concerned shall bear all the cost for such restoration/removal of the structures, it stated.
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It stated that the district administration, Imphal West has received several reports that the Paddy Land/Agricultural Land has been diverted for other non-agricultural purposes in many areas without obtaining approval from the competent authority in contravention to the provisions of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014.
Encroachment has also been found along the riverbanks and other state lands from the surrounding residents in contravention of the provisions of the Manipur Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1978, it mentioned.
It further stated that unauthorised structures are also seen erected/constructed along the National Highways and State roads and thereby reducing the road width and creating lots of public inconveniences, traffic congestions and drainage issues etc.
It mentioned that Imphal West deputy commissioner under Section II of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2014 is empowered to take such actions, as he deems fit, without prejudice to the prosecution proceedings taken under this Act.
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The action is taken to restore to the original position of any paddy land reclaimed in violation of the provisions of the Act, and realise the cost incurred in this regard from the holder of the said paddy land, it stated.
The direction is issued to the pattadars and encroachers in the Imphal West in exercise of powers conferred under relevant provisions of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 and also the Manipur Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1978, wherever applicable, it added.
