MANIPUR CHIEF MINISTER WARNS ENCROACHERS

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has warned illegal encroachers at the river banks to move out within March 3. “All illegal encroachers should voluntarily move out by March 3, if not, government will be compelled to evict the encroachers by force,” Singh said while inspecting dredging work being taken up at various areas along the bank of Imphal River. The chief minister was accompanied by minister for water resources, Letpao Haokip and officials of water resources department. Singh also said that illegal land encroachment is one of the major factor causing flash floods in the state. He said that under the Flood Plain Zoning Act, no land pattas within 30 feet around the river can be issued to any individual. “Legally no one can reside within these protected area,” he added.

“Under the MLR& LR Act and Flood Plain Zoning Act, we have started taking up certain steps and served show cause notices to those land encroachers and given 45 days,” he said. He also appealed the people to remove the crematorium, houses, clubs, toilets, etc that are being constructed along the river banks by March 3 next. Singh said that the government would try its best to protect and save the lives and damages caused by floods in the state. “Before the monsoon season, we will be dredging the river beds of rivers such as Imphal River, Thoubal River, Iril River and Kongba River etc and eviction process of all encroachers at river banks will begin soon,” he said.  He informed that the state government received Rs 15 crore for the work under NLCPR, out of which Rs 10 crore has been used for procuring bored pipes and other machineries for dredging of river beds.