May 20 Law Breaking Day By Government Of Manipur Mass peace rally staged against Kabo Leikai eviction

Source:

Imphal, May 27 2013: Besides declaring May 20 as ‘Law Breaking Day by Govt of Manipur,’ a mass peace rally cum meeting against the alleged forced eviction of residents of Naga River Lane, Kabo Leikai held today categorically labelled the State Government as ‘anti-minority’ .

Positing that the eviction drive was taken up just after a day the notice was served which is against eviction law, the victims pledged not to claim any compensation from the State while also pronouncing that the future of minority communities is not safe under the present State Government.

The mass peace rally was organised today by the JAC against the forced eviction of Naga River Lane.

The rally began from MBC Recreation Centre and marched till Assembly Hall at Chingmeirong and converged at the starting point where a meeting was also held.

A seven-point declaration was made during the meeting.

Amongst others, the meet declared that Naga River Lane is not a wasteland nor a barren land to acquire for the construction of a luxurious 5-star hotel.

It further declared that the destruction of three Churches is an infringement of the right to freedom of religion while also pledging to carry on their protest until the forcefully evicted people are restored to their original places.

Representatives of Naga Women’s Union, United Committee Manipur, Rongmei Lu Phuam (AMN), Tangkhul Shanao Long, Imphal, TKLI, TYCM, All Manipur Christian Organisation and members of all Churches in Imphal valley took part in the mass peace rally.

Placards reading, “If the pattas of Naga River Lane are fake, then the Issuing Govt is also a Fake Govt,” “Is O Ibobi a Bulldozer?” “Stop imposing the will of the rich over the poor,” “Have mercy in delivering justice,” etc were displayed during the rally today.

Addressing the public meeting, Chairman of Naga River Lane, Kabo Leikai, ZC Wungshim said it was very unfortunate that the Govt said the patta owned by the victims were not genuine.

He also said that the residents have been threatened by the police every now and then besides firing out tear gas shells at them.

He urged all concerned, irrespective of communal divide, to join hands in fighting for justice against the unlawful act of the Government.

Commiserating the victims, president of UCM, Y Nabachandra expressed strong condemnation over the forcible eviction of Naga River Lane residents.

Strongly denouncing the acts of the Govt is destroying land or structure for taking up any project, which have been witnessed on earlier occasions, the UCM president said the place where the Govt plans to construct a 5-star hotel is not suitably located.

Locating suitable place first for any project is the norms in practice elsewhere, but the State Govt here did anything it wants, Y Nabachandra said.

He also expressed deep apprehension that the Govt may evict any place it likes.

It may be mentioned that at least 28 houses in Naga River Lane, Kabo Leikai were evicted by the Govt on May 20 .

via NorthEast Calling - NorthEast India | India's No1 online News Magazine http://necalling.com/may-20-law-breaking-day-by-government-of-manipur-mass-peace-rally-staged-against-kabo-leikai-eviction/