IMPHAL, October 14 (NNN): Manipur unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today said it would block the state government’s plans to set up the National Sports University at Yaithibi Loukol of Thoubal district which has remained a “bone of contention.” “Establishment of the sports varsity in the arable land area is totally illogical. Spending huge amount of money by the cash-strapped Congress government in acquiring this land for the purpose is unjustifiable,” state BJP election management committee convenor Thounaojam Chaoba Singh said at a political conference here. The Manipur government acquired land measuring 336 acre at Yaithibi Loukol which has been provided to the Centre for the purpose. But 34 acre of land is currently under litigation, preventing the Centre from going ahead with the plan. As per the Centre’s instruction, there shall not be any disturbance at the allocated land. But the Manipur government has already requested the Centre to enable commencement of session of the yet to be established National Sports University at the temporary centre in Khuman Lampak Spots Complex. For which, steps are yet to be initiated by the Centre till date. The process of handing over and taking over of the acquired land was done in August 2015. Most importantly, the Parliament is yet to pass the bill concerning the proposed sports varsity to become it an Act. “The state government will not be allowed to violate human rights and international agreements aimed at protecting agricultural land,” Chaoba said at the event held at Langthabal Phuramakhong of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa constituency in Imphal West. He said that unlike Yaithibi Loukol, people of Koutruk village have offered free of cost the required land for setting up of the National Sports University. The event was organised by Naoriya Pakhanglakpa BJP Mandal where several leaders of BJP Manipur Pradesh were present.
