Dimapur December 4 (MExN): The All India Christian Council has constituted a national level fact finding team to asses the situation arising out of the proposed setting up of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Imphal which threatens to destroy a large number of homes and important religious buildings.
A press release issued by AICC ‘Regional Secretary’, Madhu Chandra, said that the setting up of a National Institute of Technology in the state was most welcome, however, the release expressed apprehension that the Manipur state government’s proposal to set up the NIT at Langol-Lamphelpat area would destroy large numbers of homes, and more than that important religious buildings including Christian churches and a Jewish synagogue.
Out of the 300 acres earmarked now as to the proposed site for the establishment of the NIT; 149 acres belong to 3000 families who are mostly from the ethnic tribal communities. Besides, four churches and one synagogue have existed on the land for decades, the release stated.
“The acquisition will destroy the harmonious social fabric that existed between different communities, particularly of the hill and valley and may provoke communal disharmony in the state,” the release state. In this regard, the release informed that the All India Christian Council (AICC) has constituted a national level fact finding team consisting of social activists, human rights activists, journalists, lawyers and politicians to assess the situation within a short time. A public jury hearing of the affected area of the proposed site will be conducted by the fact finding team and approach the Manipur government accordingly, the release stated. The release also informed that a delegation of the “Joint Action Committee for protection of residential agricultural lands and wetland of Langol-Lamphelpat areas” in Imphal West Manipur, led by Kim Gangte, former MP, met activists, lawyers, human rights activists and political figures in Delhi to focus the attention on government attempts to usurp people’s lands.
The Joint Action Committee has submitted a memorandum to the prime minister office earlier requesting him to direct the Manipur government to review the decision and at the same time added that the JAC submitted the memorandum to the Christians MPs to look into the mater in order to protect the interests of religious minority and ethnic tribal communities that are facing displacement.
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