THOUBAL, November 7: The 48 hour Imphal-Moreh highway bandh called against the decision of the State government to construct a sports university at Yaithibi Loukon by the 44-Yaithibi Loukon Land Owners’ Association concluded this evening. Although no untoward incidents were reported during the highway bandh, it affected vehicular traffic along the highway.
Around 2pm this afternoon, police fired tear gas shells to disperse bandh supporters. Later in the day, bandh supporters were seen burning effigies of the MLAs of Kakching, Wangjing and Chandel.
Protestors were also seen holding placards reading “MLAs Y Surchandra, P Brojen and D Korungthang are playing divisive policy” “save our agricultural lands”, etc.
Speaking to media persons, association secretary L Modun said the association is not against the construction of a sports university in the State, but it just wanted the government to look for another location rather than constructing the university at Yaithibi Loukon which is populated area with more than 3000 individuals.
The area has also more than 300/ 400 houses with masjids, temples and churches, he said before adding that the total area of Yaithibi Loukon is 600 acre.
Around 200 acre of land is inhabited, he said.
On the eastern side runs the National Highway 102, he said.
He continued that although Yaithibi Loukon falls in the middle of three Assembly Constituencies, none of the three MLAs have ever come to the people to discuss their problems.
He said the three MLAs cannot just choose the site without the consent of the people of the area.
He continued that people of the area had disrupted a survey of the area conducted by the three MLAs by bringing the Thoubal DC and the Revenue director on October 23.
Neither before choosing the site nor after doing so, no government representative or official has come to discuss the issue with the local leaders and the public, he complained.
He further appealed for an open discussion on the issue with experts.
He further warned of stronger agitations if the government continue to go ahead with the decision to construct the sports university at Yaithibi Loukon.
