Various student bodies of Kangpokpi met DC Kangpokpi to resolve the issue amicably on Sunday. However, the DC allegedly told them that he cannot do anything over the issue.
TFM Kangpokpi Representative
The deadlock over the expansion of Asian Highway is likely to turn for the worse as the Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairman/Chiefs’ Association threatened other modes of agitations, including total bandh along the highway.
Endorsing the demand of the association for “fair justice upon the affected victims of NH expansion”, various student bodies of Kangpokpi approached to the DC Kangpokpi to resolve the issue amicably on Sunday.
However, the DC said, “He is a powerless Deputy Commissioner” for the district that he cannot do anything over the issue and blamed the concerned MLAs for staying a mute spectator over the issue, they claimed.
Thadou Students’ Association Sadar Hills, All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union Kalapahar Unit, Gangte Students’ Organization Sadar Hills, Zillai Students’ Organization Kangpokpi, KomRem Students’ Union Kangpokpi met the DC at his office Chamber.
The student bodies with a giant banner: “All students’ bodies of Kangpokpi endorse AHLAVCCA’s demand to honour land survey by DC/LA Kangpokpi, fair and justice compensation to rightful landowners” held a protest in front of the DC Kangpokpi office as well.
They also hold placards which read: “Respect landowner’s right”, “Don’t delay development in the state”, “We stand with AHLAVCCA”, etc.
Speaking on behalf of the student bodies, Vigyan Koirala, chief advisor of AMGSU Kalapahar unit said that as they met the DC Kangpokpi to resolve the issue, DC Kangpokpi could not give them concrete assurance admitting that he is a powerless deputy commissioner.
He continued that their expectation upon the DC as an administrative head of the district has become a mockery as the DC Kangpokpi himself told them that he is a powerless DC which is never expected by them.
He said: “Since our approach could no longer bear any positive outcome, we are now compelled to resort to any kind of agitation which can turn the deaf ears of the government”.
He also said that the student bodies will firmly stand with the people and endorse fully any kind of agitations by the AHLAVCCA for fair justice in the future.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Thadou Students’ Association complained about what the deputy commissioner is doing in the office when he has no power over an issue under his administrative jurisdiction while adding that the IAS officer is playing a divide and rule policy towards the people of Kangpokpi.
He also said that the DC has also been playing a blame-game over the issue to divert it but “we are aware of his politics and we will not succumb to such mischievous intentions”.
Meanwhile, KomRem Students’ Union Kangpokpi and All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union Kalapahar Unit also endorsed the demands of Asian Highway Land Affected Villages/Chief’s Association.
The two student bodies in separate press releases stated that they have been carefully following the direction of the issue and now they are fully convinced that the government has been openly challenging the rights of the rightful landowners in the highway expansion issue which the student bodies will never allow to happen.
It also committed to endorse and support any kind of AHLAVCCA’s agitations in the future in the “fight for justice towards the rightful landowners”.
Meanwhile, a source of the Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairman/Chief’s Association said that they had been knocking on every possible door to resolve the issue amicably but they have got no positive response till date.
“Therefore, we are compelled to take our course of action after discussing with all the stakeholders and affected victims and announce our next mode of agitation which may include total bandh along National Highway 2,” he warned.