After various student bodies of the district extending support to the movement of the ‘Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairmen/Chiefs Association’ for fair survey and compensation, all village chiefs and chairmen of Kangpokpi district in Manipur are prepared to work for an amicable solution over the various land issues, including highway expansion.
Discontent with the dealing of various land issues in the district by the government and especially in connection with highway expansion along NH-2 in Kangpokpi district, village chiefs, and chairmen of Kangpokpi district formed a committee called ‘Kangpokpi District Chiefs Joint Coordination Committee on Land Matters’ to examine and protect their lands.
ALSO READ: Asian Highway: Villagers urge Manipur government to revoke land acquisition orders
The committee after meeting the district deputy commissioner on Wednesday afternoon at Kangpokpi, its spokesperson Lunthang Haokip said that considering certain issues and problems in connection with land matters under Kangpokpi district, the committee was formed unanimously by the village chiefs and chairmen.
He continued that the current issue of Asian Highway expansion under Kangpokpi district has been examined and deliberated by the committee. It was found that all possible efforts to amicably resolve the issue have been put forth by various organisations under the aegis of ‘Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairmen/Chiefs Association’ but the government seems adamant in a peaceful approach, he said.
“We have resolved that the government notifications with regards to the Asian highway expansion cannot be accepted unless the notifications and orders are issued based on DC Kangpokpi notification dated June 3, 2020, wherein the deputy commissioner informed all concerned about conducting a joint survey to find out the affected areas of land and landowners for the widening and improvement of Imphal-Kohima road on NH-2 into 2/4-laning by NHIDCL,” he said.
The 3A and 3D notification/orders of the government cannot be accepted by the village chiefs and chairmen of Kangpokpi district after thorough examination, asserted Lunthang Haokip.
ALSO READ: Revoke land acquisition orders or face agitations: AHLAVCCA
He alleged that according to the notification issued by DC Kangpokpi on June 3, 2020, a joint survey was conducted to find out the affected areas of land and landowners for the highway expansion but the 3A and 3D notifications and orders had not been issued based on the said joint survey.
“We want the authority concerned to issue the 3A and 3D notification based on the joint survey conducted as per DC Kangpokpi notification on June 3, 2020, and provide fair compensation,” said Haokip.
While giving another option for amicably resolving the issue, Lunthang Haokip said that DC Kangpokpi and his subordinate SDOs along with the committee and other stakeholders can conduct a fresh and fair survey and accordingly publish the same for fair compensation.
“However, if the government fails to accommodate the sentiment of the committee and other stakeholders, we will halt all works related to highway expansion and we shall not allow any company to undertake any projects further,” cautioned Haokip.
ALSO READ: Politics in highway alignment
Meanwhile, disappointed with the alleged unresponsiveness of the government, the ‘Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairmen/Chiefs Association’ along with TSA Sadar Hills and All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union announced a 24-hour total shutdown from 5 am of July 2 to 5am of July 3.
TSA Sadar Hills general secretary Lalboi Lhouvum said that they have been attempting very hard with all possible means to resolve the highway expansion issue amicably but the state government has failed to respond positively despite the democratic form of agitation.
He said that only emergency services including medical, media, airport activities will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
He further appealed to all to come forward and render support and cooperation towards AHLAVCCA's movement for fair survey and compensation.
