The Makhan (Makhen) Village Authority on Thursday vehemently condemned the Manipur government’s alleged attempt to transfer Makhan village land to the Army and termed it as highly inappropriate.
Makhan Village chief Kailamdinang and village chairman Amang Abonmai, in a joint release, mentioned that the Cabinet meeting on January 15 chaired by Chief Minister, N Biren Singh in Chandel District reportedly decided to acquire the land measuring 130 acres.
It stated that the transfer of Defence land at Koirengei Old Airfield to the State Government sinisterly coincides with the Cabinet agreeing to transfer 130 acres of land contiguous to Leimakhong Military Station to the Army in exchange for 74.24 acres of land at Koirengei Old Airfield.
It claimed that the proposed land is a tribal land belonging to Makhan Liangmai Naga Village. It condemned the alleged attempt by the Cabinet to acquire the land without the consent and knowledge of the landowners.
It pointed out that the land is the only farmland where the people practice agriculture and its allied activities since ages. The particular decision shows the government’s failure to delve further into the democratic and ethical principles and values before having an undertaking of such massive decisions concerning tribal lands, it alleged.
It expressed discontentment that 87 acres of the Makhan Village land is being forcefully ceded to Leimakhong Army and added that no compensation has been given to the village till date. It further recalled that another 301 acres of land, acquired in the past by the State Government for construction of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) regional campus, has also not been compensated till now.
It highlighted the plights facing the villagers owing to the government’s decision and urged to repeal and rectify the same at the earliest.
