Two officers suspended in controversial Moreh land deal

Source:

Imphal, June 17 2013: In connection with the controversial sale of 160 acres of land located near Kondong Lairembi complex, Moreh to the Assam Rifles, SDC Ibohal and Assistant Settlement Officer Imocha have been suspended from service.

This was stated by Revenue Minister Th Debendra in response to a call attention motion raised by Opposition member Dr I Ibohalbi in the State Assembly today.

It was learnt that the area of about 160 acres which is located within reserved area forest and forms a part of wildlife sanctuary was sold off to the Assam Rifles at Rs 67 lakhs on May 16, 2005, Debendra informed the House.

The said area was registered in the name of Doujangpu Haokip.

However, the Manipur State Durbar on April 3, 1946 declared the said area and adjoining areas as reserved forest and in 1998, the same area was classified as a part of Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary.

As such, the Government has been examining if the original land owner still holds any right over the said area, Debendra stated.

Map of Yaingangpokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary

Informing the House that consent for selling off the particular area was given by the then Hill Council Under Secretary who has now retired, the Revenue Minister stated what measures can be initiated with regard to the land deal is being looked into.

Moving the call attention motion, Dr I Ibohalbi asked if due permission from the Revenue Department and the Hills Department was taken before the land was sold.

By selling off the particular area, all the rules and norms generally associated with reserved forests and wildlife sanctuaries have been violated, Ibohalbi asserted.

Demanding particulars of the officials who connived in selling off the land, Ibohalbi asked what actions have been initiated against those defaulting officials.

Responding to another call attention motion put up by MLA K Sarat, Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar informed the House that his department has enquired into the incident in which four quarters located inside Dimapur campus of MSRTC were burnt.

Clarifying that all the four quarters were occupied by encroachers, Dr Ratankumar stated that the encroachers did not move into the quarters with necessary permission from the authority concerned.

As the Government initiated due process to evict them, a case was filed at Court and it is still pending, added the Transport Minister.

The Assam Rifles had on the other hand maintained that they have all the documents in place for the land deal.

via NorthEast Calling - NorthEast India | India's No1 online News Magazine http://necalling.com/two-officers-suspended-in-controversial-moreh-land-deal/