Construction of proposed Ring RoadConsult people first : Kh Joykisan

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 19 : Making his stand clear, Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykisan today asserted that if the people of Thangmeiband or affected patta holders are not consulted while executing the Ring Road construction work under funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), then the same would be opposed tooth and nail. Legal actions as deemed fit will be taken up against the design of the Government, asserted the MLA.
Addressing a meeting organised by the JAC Against the Construction of Ring Road at the community hall of Ima Panthoibi at Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai today, the MLA questioned whether the pattadars whose land stand to be affected by the proposed Ring Road have been taken into confidence and an agreement arrived at or not.
Further questioning how pattadars can be evicted from their homestead without a prior agreement, the MLA said that this same question was raised during the Budget session of the Assembly earlier. The Works Minister himself had assured on the floor of the House that the matter would be discussed with the pattadars, recalled Joykisan.
If the work must proceed, then get the consent of the people of Thangmeiband first, said the MLA and added that if the work however is taken up against the interest of the people, then as a representative of the people of Thangmeiband the same cannot be acceptable.
A written information will be forwarded to the Asian Development Bank that the work is against the interest of the people, cautioned Joykisan and added that any coercive move will be opposed strongly. The matter will even be taken to the law Court, he cautioned.
If the proposed work is for the welfare of the people then as an Opposition MLA I would support the same, declared Kh Joykisan but added “If any wrong is done, as an MLA, I will stand with the people and take up all possible means to protect their interests.”
An agreement with the people first is necessary or else any move to bulldoze their way through will be opposed tooth and nail, added the MLA.
It would be much better for the Government to first concentrate on completing the numerous works pending which have been financed by the ADB and other agencies first, suggested Joykisan and questioned what action the Government has taken to address the question of works which have been abandoned midway without finishing the same.