Talks unfruitful

KANGPOKPI, Jun 21 : Endorsing the stand of the Asian Highway Land Affected Villages Chairmen/Chief's Association various student bodies of Kangpokpi today approached the DC Kangpokpi to resolve the issue amicably, but were taken aback when their ‘gentleman approach’ came to naught with the DC maintaining that he is powerless to do anything and instead asked them to approach the local MLA.
Thadou Students' Association Sadar Hills, All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union Kalapahar Unit, Gangte Students' Organization Sadar Hills, Zillai Students' Organization Kangpokpi, KomRem Students' Union Kangpokpi met the DC at his office Chamber this afternoon.
During the meeting the student bodies laid down that the land survey should be honoured and fair and just compensation should be paid to the land owners.
Speaking on behalf of the student bodies, Vigyan Koirala, chief advisor of AMGSU Kalapahar unit said that “we made a gentleman approach to the DC Kangpokpi to resolve the issue but the DC could not give us concrete any assurance admitting that he is powerless.”
He continued, “our expectation from the DC as the administrative head of the district has become a mockery as the officer himself told us he is a ‘Powerless DC,’” added the student leader.
He said “since our gentleman approach could no more bear any positive outcome, we are now compelled to resort to any kind of agitation which can awake the Government.”
A representative of Thadou Students' Association questioned “what is the Deputy Commissioner doing in the office when he has no power over an issue under his administrative jurisdiction while adding that the IAS officer is playing divide and rule policy on the people of Kangpokpi.”
He added that the DC has also been playing blame game to divert people's attention but added “we are aware of his policies and we will not succumb to such mischievous intention.”
KomRem Students' Union Kangpokpi and All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union Kalapahar Unit in separate press releases stated that the Government has been openly challenging the rights of the rightful landowners in the highway expansion issue which will not be allowed.
It also committed to support any kind of action take up by AHLAVCCA's the future in the fight for justice.