IMPHAL, November 23: The Joint Action Committee against the proposed Imphal Ring Road (Tharon to Lanthungching) and Neikalong Women Welfare Association jointly staged a sitting protest at Neikalong here today.
Speaking to media persons, Rev Raj Mohan, convener (JAC) said that the proposed Ring Road plan taken by the government is blatantly antisocial and an attempt to violate rights under the UN Charter and the Indian Constitution Article 13 (2) which nullifies the making of laws and taking away of rights conferred to citizens.
He further said that according to the law, the government should take the consent of the people and do social impact assessment before taking up any plan even if it meant for the development of the State.
The eight villages which will be affected by the proposed plan are Tharon, Neikalong, Tarun, Grace Colony, Guigailong Laimanai, Ramgailong, Lanthungching, and approximately around 800 families will be uprooted. Many institutions, such as Rehab Centre, Church, Health Sub Centre, Veterinary, Community hall etc will also be affected by the proposed plan he added.
Rev Raj Mohan said that according to the sources the Asian Development Bank will only be funding the road construction and not payment of compensation for the affected household. The question then is whether the government will be able to give fair compensation to the entire affected households, he further asked.
Thaikhui Rongmei, chairman, Neikalong stated that there are families living for many generations, even before the formation of the government and the government should honour the rights of the indigenous people.
He also said that many families are earning their livelihoods by opening up shops, selling vegetables etc and if the proposed plan is implemented, the families will have harder life trying to keep their family hearths burning.
M Athon, president (NWWA) said that if the government is really concerned about the welfare of the people, why plan such a road to pass through residential areas threatening to render thousands of families homeless.
She further said that government is formed by the people, of the people and for the people but the State government is working against the wishes and against the welfare of the people which is totally unacceptable she added.
Appealing the government to reconsider the plan, Rev Raj Mohan said that the JAC along with people of eight villages would launch series of intense agitations until and unless the government review the plan in order not to affects the households.