IMPHAL, March 18: Villagers of Sora Ching Wangma Meitei Pangal today pledge to protect 44-Yaithibi Loukol from the construction of National Sports University.
Villagers of five villages namely Laijing Minou, Langthabl Khunou, Koijam Maring, Sora, Yaithibi Khunou attended the pledge taking ceremony organized by the Affected Land Owners Association and Forced Land Acquisition for Sports University. The ceremony was held at Sora Ching Wangma Masajid.
During the ceremony, the villagers firmly resolved that they will allow the government to construct the university at 44-Yaithibi Loukol and will make the government to look for another site.
Secretary of the association, Islamuddin said if the government try to use force to construct the university at the site, then the government should be held responsible for any fall-out.
He said during the recent Budget session, the Chief Minister had stated that the government has signed an MoU with the villagers and the related documents have been submitted to the concerned Central Ministry.
However, this is far from the truth, he said adding that no such MoU has been signed by the villagers.
Through and RTI application, the association has come to know that the government had used an unauthorised individual identified as M Gambhir Singh to act the part of AS and SO of Settlement directorate and sign a fake agreement, he claimed.
In the fake document, the authorities have claimed to have acquired 336.93 acres of land out of the total 442 acres of 44-yaithibi Loukol, he added.
He said the association will approach the Prime Minister in this concern and will submit a memorandum to investigate the issue.
The association will never allow construction of the university at Yaithibi Loukon at any cost, he said, adding that it is not against the construction of the sports university but against the selection of Yaithibi Loukon as the construction site as it will affect five villages.
The area, he said is inhabited by different communities including Meitei, Naga and Meitei Pangals.