Manipur: Over 167 households served eviction notices for expansion and 2 lanning of inter-village roads

The aggrieved people residing in the 2.20 km-long stretch submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister seeking exemption from eviction

Over 167 households residing along the eastern bank of the Imphal River in the Sanjenthong to Minuthong stretch have been served eviction notices by the DC of Imphal East on March 16, 2023 for the “Development of Eastern River Front (Road)” project, which is a part of the Imphal smart city mission.

As part of the project, the government has proposed expanding and developing the inter-village roads (IVR) from Sanjenthong to Minuthong along the river’s eastern bank into a two-lane road.

In regard to this, the aggrieved people residing in the 2.20 km-long stretch convened a public meeting on Friday under the aegis of the JAC, which was formed to oppose eviction, and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister N Biren Singh seeking exemption from eviction.

Speaking to the media, co-convenor of the JAC, Momon Gangte said that the proposed expansion of Inter-village road (I.V.R) along the Imphal River from Sanjenthong up to Minuthong for implementation of the project would require the acquisition of land that is currently occupied by these settlements.

Evicting these residents from their homes and businesses would cause significant hardship and disrupt their way of life. Many of these residents are already struggling to make ends meet, and eviction would only worsen their situation, he said.

Momon pointed out that at least 167 households are likely to be affected by the road expansion.

Highlighting that the localities stretching from Sanjenthong up to Minuthong have been inhabited for more than a century by people of different communities such as the Kabuls, Tangkhuls, Kukis, Kom, Meetei Pangals, and Meeteis, he drew the attention of the government not to evict their homes.

“We understand that the expansion of I.V.R. is important for the development of the state but it should not come at the cost of our welfare and land,” he added.

When asked about whether the people settling in the area are all owners of the land legally, he said that some are, but some do not possess documents, and he accused the government of denying land allotment by rejecting their applications.

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