MANIPUR: MINISTERIAL TEAM INSPECTS ILLEGAL RIVER BANKS ENCROACHERS

A team of Cabinet Ministers including Revenue Minister, Shri Karam Shyam, Water Resources Minister, Shri Letpao Haokip, TA & Hills Minister, Shri N. Kayisii and Social Welfare and Cooperation Minister, Smt Nemcha Kipgen, today inspected illegal encroachers at river banks located in and around Kangpokpi District.

Briefing the media during the visit, Water Resources Minister, Letpao stated that the new government is committed in clearing any illegal construction in riverbeds for long-term safety of the masses. On the other hand, the government, through respective DCs has given prior notice that no construction should be set up in river beds under the Manipur Flood Plain Zoning Act 1978. He appealed the general public to take the initiative of the government in a positive light and to co-operate with the government in this constructive and developmental work.

And, for those areas that have not been covered, it is due to the reason that the inhabitants have brought their land documents (pattas) and due verification of the papers is being done, hence the delay in the completion of dredging in some areas, Letpao asserted.

Minister Letpao also reminded the public that no constructions can be made in the river bank under the Manipur Flood Plain Zoning Act, 1978 and the Manipur Land Revenue Reforms Act. He appealed the public not to dispose garbage and plastic materials in the river and to dispose it at the proper places given by the Municipality. He also asserted that the public must support and co-operate with this initiative of the government in the larger interest of the general public and to achieve the objective of preventing floods for long term.

He further stresses on the fact that the government always has serious concern for the frequent floods faced by the state, especially during last year and has been discussing for a long term plan to combat this problem. The dredging work is a result of that discussion. The dredging is almost completed for valley area and has now reached to Nambol side and Waisel Maril stretch, he added. But, full result of it cannot be seen due to blocking and narrowing of the river at Yangoi Karong and Upokpi area. So, cleaning of river bed in that portion will also be done soon.

Revenue Minister, Karam Shyam expressed that under the leadership of the Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, the government have recently taken up dredging works to prevent floods and today’s visit is being carried out to check the illegal encroaching and constructions in and around Kangpokpi District as this area is the starting point of the Imphal river and to further prevent the river from contamination.

He also informed that the inspection is planned after the strong instruction from the Chief Minister and the visiting Ministerial team have assured co-operation in the common goal of cleaning the river-bed. He also added the execution of the clearing out of the encroachments will be carry out with the help of respective DCs, SPs, SDOs and other top officials.

The Ministerial team was today accompanied by Kangpokpi District’s DC, SP, SDO, village authority and concern officials.