In Solidarity with the Working people of Lei-Ingkhol village and the Joint Action Committee

The NTUI stands in solidarity with the workers of the Lei-Ingkhol village in their opposition to the forcible acquisition of the village and villagers land for the implementation of the Capital Project, financed by the Government of India under Special Plan Assistance scheme since 2004. Under the name of developing public institutions, the government of Manipur is engaged in developing an elite housing development project.

While land from the Manipur Agricultural Farm, PWD Store House campus and the Lei-Ingkhol Village, among other, are to be acquired, only the land of the Manipur Agricultural Farm and PWD Store House campus would be used for the construction of a High Court Complex and Assembly. The rest of the area, including the Lei-Ingkhol village land would be used for the construction of other structures, including colonies for the judges and other high officials of the State with extensive facilities for their use. The NTUI condemns that, under the name of developing government institutions, this new housing colony would be built by destroying existing livelihood options, such as seed stocks and infrastructure for agricultural value addition including fruit processing and preservation factories. In addition, social infrastructure such as a T.B. hospital, leprosy hospital, destitute childrens’ home, lower primary school, an under-construction hospital for psychiatric care and a community care centre will also be destroyed in order to create a housing complex for high officials of the State.

The process of choosing the project site has not included prior information and consent from the affected people before the village was selected for the project. The NTUI stands in solidarity with all the affected people in their justified protest against this illegal process. We condemn the Government of Manipur’s use of intimidation and repression, including the militarisation of the project site, in order to discourage protest. The NTUI condemns the Government of Manipur’s use of both political and physical force to silence the militant and spontaneous protests in the region to complete the acquisition of land for the inegalitarian use of public assets.

The NTUI believes that a clearly defined and transparent legal framework and procedure must be put in place before any large-scale public project is undertaken. Such a policy should focus on means of livelihood rather than on assets and assume a participatory relationship between those displaced and the government. We acknowledge the fact that forced eviction intensifies social conflict and inequality and invariably affects the working class. We reassert the essentiality to develop a culture that respects the importance of developing community-based, locally appropriate alternatives to evictions and displacement.

The NTUI recalls the history of the Lei-Ingkhol village which was constructed mainly by landless workers who determinately reclaimed marshy lands to ensure a better subsistence for their families. We recall your victorious opposition to the project in 2006, which became a reference point for anti-displacement struggles in Manipur. Today again, you are to stand united and the NTUI stands in solidarity with you as you defend your right to this hard won land, to housing at a decent distance from your site of occupation and the food security this land provides to you and your families.