IMPHAL, November 12: The 44 Yaithibi Loukon Land Owners’ Association today organised a sit in protest cum public meeting at Keisampat Lairembi Community hall against the construction plan for a Sport University at Yaithibi Loukon.
The public meeting further resolved to put pressure on the state Government to shift the proposed university from the location.
In the sidelines, secretary of the association Md Nazimuddin said that the proposed land is agricultural land providing livelihoods to the population of the area.
He further mentioned that the proposed area measuring about 400 acres is occupied by more than 3000 people of different villages such as Sora, Koijam, Langthabal Khunou, Yaithibi Khunou and Laiching Khunou under Thoubal District.
He also said that the state is already facing grain shortage and it is regrettable that agricultural land has been chosen for the construction of the Sports University. He further lamented that the state Government has failed to respond positively.
He clarified that they are not against the construction of the Sports University but against the prospect of destroying fertile agricultural land to pursue the project.
The public meeting was also attended by leaders from different civil society organisations.
Advisor to an NGO, Protection of Agricultural Land & Natural Resources Organisation, M Churamani said that Manipur is regarded as agro-based state and mutilating agriculture land in the name of development is regrettable.
The public meeting also resolved to urge the Prime Minister of India to intervene on the matter to safeguard agricultural land of Manipur.