IMPHAL, February 15: The land owners affected by the proposed Special Economic Zone, SEZ Multi product staged a sit in protest under organised by the Lemba Laijing Loukon Protection Committee at Kakching Lamkhai today.
The sit in protest was held against the government decision to acquire 450 acres of agricultural land forcibly in between Kakching Lamkhai and Kuraopokpi in Thoubal district for the construction of the proposed SEZ Multi product.
The protestors held placards reading `We want transparency,` `Don`™t grab poor farmers land`, `we condemn unlawful acquisition of law by force`, `we want justified development protect farmer`™s right.`
Speaking on the sideline of the protest, assistant secretary of the committee N Amuyaima Singh said the committee was formed after the deputy commissioner Thoubal issued a notification for acquiring 450 acres of agricultural and farm land at Lemba Laijing Loukon area in December 10, 2013.
He said the committee has also submitted several memorandums to the DC and the State government to revoke the decision to acquire the said land.
The protestors are demanding the government to revoke the decision regarding the land acquisition for the industrial estate and to seek another side where there is no dispute, he said stating that in case the government fails to meet the demand by April, the farmers have no option other than launch various forms of agitation including road blockade.
Amuyaima also alleged that certain unidentified persons had provided their consent for the land acquisition before the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry during her recent visit and inspection at the proposed site, while the genuine land owners were kept detained at Kakching Lamkhai and not allowed to meet the Union Minister.
The DC`™s order, he said will affect 400 household and added that the committee has already submitted a memorandum on the issue to Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman through the BJP Manipur Pradesh.