Villagers of Makhuam (Marangching) today threatened to ban and shut down Northeast Frontier Railway related work within the jurisdiction of Makhuam (Marangching) Village of Tamenglong district from the midnight of February 16, 2018 against the inaction to resolve the rehabilitation and compensation of the Makhuam (Marangching) Village, Tamenglong.
Speaking to the media persons at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal, Guangchalung Gangmei, Secretary of Makhuam (Marangching) Village said that villagers of Makhuam (Marangching) Village which has been affected by the Trans Asian Railways has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur on December 10, 2017 to initiate action to the grievances to resolve the rehabilitation and compensation matter of the Makhuam (Marangching) Village however no positive response has been received till date.
With strong condemnation for non-action from the government side despite the submission of memorandum, the villagers took the decision to completely ban the railway works from the midnight of February 16, 2018, he added.
Guangchalung Gangmei also said that the villagers had urged the Chief Minister to recover the compensation amount illegally siphoned by Thaunkulung Gangmei and Kh Lovejoy who had clamied individual ownership over the major portion of lands which legally belongs to Makhuam (Marangching) Village acquired for construction of NF Railway Board Gauge and the illegal withdrawal of the compensation amount due to illegal acts of Armstrong Pamei, Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong based on nullified copy of the court orders and fabricated documents but their demands are not made till date.
Since the villagers had suffered enough, their demands to the government of Manipur is take full responsibility to recover the compensation amount made to Thaunkulung Gangmei and Kh Lovejoy by setting up a committee consisting of a senior officer not below the rank of Chief Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary, Guangchalung Gangmei added.
Guangchalung Gangmei further said that the government should also take necessary legal action against Armstrong Pamei, Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong and his subordinate officials involved for causing the siphoning and the loss of public exchequer more than 36 crores including the authority of United Bank of India for allowing the withdrawal of amounts despite the persisting controversy and timely notification on illegal and fraudulent attempts by Thaunkulung Gangmei and Kh Lovejoy for the withdrawel.
Failure to fulfil their demands, villagers of Makhuam (Marangching) Village will imposed total shutdown NF Railway related work within the jurisdiction of Makhuam (Marangching) Village of Tamenglong to Imphal from the midnight of February 16, 2018 and appeals the railways authorities to stop the railway works till the matter is amicably resolved in accordance with the demands of the villagers.
State government and the railway authorities and companies should hold responsible for any untoward incidents, Guangchalung Gangmei asserts.
Mention may be that vehicles were burn down on December of 2017 for failing to meet their demands made in the memorandum by the villagers.