IMPHAL, August 4: Loubuk Kanba Lup members and volunteers damaged four under construction houses at Chingmeirong Laipham Khonou (Siphai) under Heingang police station in Imphal East district today at noon.
The Loubuk Kanba Lup members are against the building of houses on arable lands.
The four houses belong to K S Ningairam, Helena Ledjaisa, John Keishing and Newson Rosl. They are amongst the Chadong Mapithel Dam affected families who have moved there after they bought the lands in 2011.
Speaking to the media, “Land Owner Protection Committee, Laipham Khonou Siphai Karang Road side Paoumi Colony” convenor K Sami Alexander said that they strongly condemned the act of destroying the under construction houses.
These people are settling there after they bought the lands in 2011. The construction of Mapithel Dam has snatched away their original lands and now they have no other place to go, he said.
He further said that when they were buying the lands they were not stopped from buying it by anyone and the land owners also did not mention anything about house construction being not allowed there.
He further continued that the owners will go away from the location if their money spent in buying the land and construction of their houses are returned.
He appealed not to repeat such acts in the future again saying it is not the first time that miscreants have destroyed building materials there.
He maintained that regarding the issue both the opposing parties had a joint meeting at Heingang police station on July 12 last in the presence of the OC, Heingang police station.
A memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, Imphal East DC and also to the Additional SP Imphal East on May 23 last in regard to this issue.
He also appealed the state government to look into the matter to bring a solution before things get worst.