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Manipur villagers against land acquisition

By Correspondent

IMPHAL, Oct 7 � Residents of Ningombam Awang Leikai and Ningombam Awang Atom localities who were affected by expansion of Imphal International Airport are continuing their protest against the State Government order to vacate their homesteads.

The affected villagers are also demanding allotment of land for settlement, proper survey of the properties for assessing compensation.

On September 27, SDO of Wangoi Block served a quit notice to the villagers in Ningombam area asking them to vacate their homesteads by October 6. The order further warned that or else they would be evicted.

AK Jotin Singh, an affected villager, said the government should provide for resettlement before issuing the quit notice. How can we vacate and shift our belongings without getting suitable land? he asked. How can we settle in a place where there is no water, power, etc?

Though some of the families are trying to shift elsewhere, the poor families have stayed back at their houses even after the deadline had already expired.

Jotin, who had built the house with a bank loan, could be evicted anytime, but is yet to get the compensation for his properties. The government has reportedly provided a piece of land measuring around 900 sq ft to a maximum of 6,000 sq ft each to the affected families according to their land at the Heiribok foothill located about 500 metres east of Ningombam village, said the affected villagers.

However, around 20 families of Ningombam Awang Leikai and Ningombam Awang Atom are yet to get their compensation and allotted land, the villagers alleged. The local MLA RK Anand Singh has assured that he will take up the issue with the Chief Minister.

The government has acquired around 700 acres belonging to 220 families of Ningombam Awang Leikai for airport expansion in 2009 affecting paddy fields and homesteads at Ningombam, Kodompokpi, Meitram, Sangaiprou, Malom Tuliyaima, Malom Tulihal and Monshangei villages.

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