TSA Sadar Hills general secretary Lalboi Lhouvum said, “We have been attempting very hard with all possible means to resolve the highway expansion issue amicably but the state government failed to respond positively despite our democratic form of agitation compelling us to take extreme decisions
TFM Representative Kangpokpi
The Asian Highway Land Affected Village Chairmen/Chiefs’ Association (AHLAVCCA) along with TSA Sadar Hills and All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union announced 24 hours total shutdown from 5 am of July 2 to 5am of July 3.
TSA Sadar Hills general secretary Lalboi Lhouvum said, “We have been attempting very hard with all possible means to resolve the highway expansion issue amicably but the state government failed to respond positively despite our democratic form of agitation compelling us to take extreme decisions.”
He said that only emergency services including medical, media, airports will be exempted from the purview of the bandh while appealing to the people of Manipur to bear for the cause of justice.
He further appeals to all like-minded civil society organisations and individuals to come forward and render maximum support and cooperation towards AHLAVCCA’s movement for fair survey and compensation.
Meanwhile, discontent with the alleged scandalous 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.
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 said that the current issue of Asian Highway expansion under Kangpokpi district has been examined and deliberated minutely by the committee and found that all possible efforts to amicably resolve the issue have been put forth by various organizations under the aegis of Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairmen/Chiefs Association but the Government seems adamant in a peaceful approach.
He said that after thorough deliberation, the committee 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.
“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.
He alleged according to the DC Kangpokpi notification dated 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 notification/orders had not been issued based on the said joint surveyed.
“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 adding that no notification or orders accepted based on the said DC Kangpokpi notification shall never be entertained and accepted by the village chiefs and chairmen.
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.
“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,“ warned Haokip.
He also said that if the Government attempts to bulldoze without accommodating our sentiment, it shall be responsible for any untoward incident arising out of it.