IMPHAL, July 13: State government has approved the release of Rs.28.80 lakhs as compensation for the acquisition of land and standing properties for the construction of IRB/MR Bn head quarter and Subsidiary Police Training centre at Jarolpokpi village under Jiribam sub-division of Imphal east district even though there has been strong opposition from the local residence.
According to local source, state government did not took the consent of the local bodies of the Jarolpokpi village in allotting 44.5170 hectares (109.99 acres) of land covered by CS Dag No.6&7 of village No.15 Jarolpokpi of Jiribam sub-division to the police department for construction of head quarter and training centre. The state government had observed that the said portion of land was un-surveyed and justified the acquisition.
On the other hand state government at the initial part of the survey conducted last year at the place claimed it as a Sarkari Khas land and officially reserved it for the purpose. Subsequently, the administration started jungle clearance works by cutting down all tress including the rubber plantations, the source added.
Later, strong objections to the allotment of the said portion of land and subsequent felling of standing trees were raised by the villagers of Jarolpokpi. Accordingly, the villagers have demanded payment of adequate compensation on the ground that they have been totally deprived of their means of livelihood and the same demands of the villagers have already been endorsed by the addl. Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam sub-division and relayed the same to the state government after a memorandum from the villagers.
In the meantime, state government after considering the likelihood of hardship to the villagers of Jarolpokpi after acquisition of the land has decided to provide adequate compensations amounting to Rs.28.80 lakhs to meet the ends of justice beleiving this payment could help them in finding suitable means of sustenance.
Till now the villagers of Jarolpokpi had suspended their stir following the assurances from the state government and waiting for the government to execute its promise for payment of adequate compensations, the source added.
In any case destruction of natural beauties and felling of trees for establishing such training center is highly condemnable. Trees are precious as they provide clean air and pleasant look. This is the same mistake the state government has been making in the name of bringing changes/development in Manipur. The question is that why not bring those changes without destroying the aged old and precious natural beauties. The said police head quarter could have been established with minimal felling of trees wherever necessary and even could have taken systematic plantation of the campus for retaining the pleasant natural look.