IMPHAL, February 13: The Indigenous Peoples’ Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) and Kontha Ahallup Development Organisation (KADO) during a joint press meet held today at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal have urged all not to support constructions on paddy fields.
IPAK chairman Sapamcha Jadumani said that he had filed a PIL before the High Court of Manipur regarding restrictions on constructions of structures on paddy fields in the State.
He said that in 2014 Assembly session, The Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2014 was passed and consequently on September 2, 2014, the Act was included in the Gazette notification.
He said that the Act includes that anyone willing to construct structures on paddy fields, should get approval from the State government.
He expressed that though the Act has been implemented, many people have failed to abide by it.
He continued that IPAK, other civil society organisations and local youth clubs also support the Act.
It is the responsibility of the State government to check construction of structures in paddy fields, he added.