The Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the road expansion from Sanjenthong to Minuthong bridge along the eastern side of Imphal River has urged the government to reduce the proposed width to seven metres on humanitarian ground.
Co-convenor of the JAC, Momon Gangte, who is also a resident of New Lambulane, Imphal East district, on Friday told media on the sidelines of a public meeting held at KR Lane Baptist Church, Imphal East, that along the stretch affects the various communities that had been settling. Most of the communities settling along the stretch are minority community people including Meitei Muslim, Tribal and some Meitei, he said.
"The people welcome the road expansion but that the proposed width will affect over 160 households. If the proposed width is reduced to seven metres, then most of the households will not be affected," he added.
“We have been settled here for the last over 90 years, however, the government is not providing Jamabandi though we demanded. We welcome the expansion of the road but under humanitarian ground the road expansion needs to be reduced to seven metres instead of the proposed 13 metre width”, said Momon.
Later, the JAC submitted a memorandum to the chief minister with the demand to reduce the proposed width to seven metres.
In the memorandum, it is mentioned different communities such as the Kabuis, Tangkhuls, Kukis, Kom, Meetei Pangals, Meeteis, etc. have been settling along the stretch from Sanjenthong up to Minuthong along the eastern side of Imphal River for over a century.
The proposed expansion of I.V.R. along the Imphal River from Sanjenthong up to Minuthong on the pretext of the implementation of the project-'Development of Eastern River Front (Road)' under the Imphal Smart City Mission would require the acquisition of land that is currently occupied by these settlements. However, the residents of these settlements have been living here for generations and are deeply rooted in the community. They have built their homes, raised their families, and established their businesses here, he said.
Evicting these residents from their homes and businesses would cause significant hardship and disrupt their way of life. Many of these residents are already struggling to make ends meet, and eviction would only worsen their situation, the memorandum stated. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has already had a devastating impact on the lives of many people in these settlements. Many of these residents have lost their livelihoods, and some are struggling to access basic necessities like food and healthcare.
Moreover, during this present juncture when several young students from these affected settlements are appearing various CBSE, BOSEM and competitive examinations in order to shape their career and transform their future, such eviction steps will give an acute mental harassment and trauma that would result in destroying their future.
The JAC for the Conservation of Sanjenthong Meitel Leikai, Mission Lane, Namthanpung, Dimdailong, New Lambulane, K.R. Lane, Golapati and Minuthong Hatta therefore urge the government to consider exempting these settlements from eviction on humanitarian grounds. We understand that the expansion of 1.V.R. is important for the development of the state, but we believe that this should not be done at the cost of the welfare of the people.
