IMPHAL, July 6: The civil society fact-finding team on threat of displacement of Naga River colony, Imphal has welcomed the recent Supreme Court’s judgment regarding the construction of a star hotel on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway upholding allotment of land to construct the hotel and its observation on state governments misusing the land acquisition Act 1894 to oust poor from their land.
According to a statement of the All India Christian Council has further stated that the Supreme Court in its Tuesday ruling has otherwise asked the ITC Ltd, Indian Hotel Company Ltd to pay triple of the existing land price regarding the star hotel construction on the express highway.
In another judgment, the Supreme Court slams the Greater Noida Authority’s argument on Tuesday that state governments are using colonial land acquisition law to oust poor from their land, stated the statement.
It has further stated that a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly said, “Taking advantage of the colonial Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the state is driving poor people to the wall. This is a sinister anti-people campaign started by many states including UP.”
Meanwhile it has further alleged that a civil society fact-finding team led by Dr. John Dayal – member of National Integration Council had found that Okram Ibobi Singh’s government has used colonial Land acquisition Act 1894 to oust Naga river villagers.
Naga River colony is 100 years old with a population of 500 in 32 houses consisting of all major religions including Hindus, Muslims and Christians who are in a majority.
Ethnically, they represent as wide a diversity including Meiteis, Nepalese and various tribes of Nagas and Kukis. There are three churches, one temple and several graves, added the statement.
“Manipur Government’s haste move to land assessment conducted by deploying security forces on June 20, 2011, notification to surrender original patta by Superintendent of Police/Vigilant dated June 28, 2011 and land acquisition policy without any rehabilitation program is clear sign of threat to displace the poor citizen of the colony,” says Dr. John Dayal.
The Joint Action Committee of Naga River colony has approached High Court at Imphal seeking a stay order against Manipur Government land acquisition notification dated December 17, 2010. The case is likely to come sometime this week, it added.
“If Manipur Government fails to listen to the voice of the Naga River colony, Joint Action Committee will approach Supreme Court of India in the light of its recent slam on Noida land acquisition,” says Madhu Chandra Public Relation Office of All India Christian Council and Spokesperson of North East Support Centre & Helpline.
The fact-finding report has also been submitted to the Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi to intervene the Manipur Government’s decision to acquire Naga River colony, added the statement.