Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) has urged the Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to stop allocating land for the proposed medical college.
The state government is aiming to construct a medical college at Yaithibi Loukon, Langthabal Imphal.
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The human rights body also submitted a memorandum to the CM stating the same.
“Allocating land for the medical college will affect the agrarian population as acres of farmlands will be used for the institute and hence several farmers will lose their only source of income,” the body stated in a memorandum.
“As per the Manipur Conservation of Paddy and Wetland Act, 2014, land allotment for the proposed medical college must be stopped immediately and protect the paddy fields,” the memorandum stated.
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YFPHR urged the CM to allot land for the medical college in meadow areas and not in the paddy field or any other place that could harm the environment.
It also urged the state government to monitor and stop construction of any development work in the paddy field.
“Construction of any sort cannot be accepted on farmlands. Already a lot of construction has taken place in farmlands and these have resulted in the acute shortage of food production in Manipur,” YFPHR reiterated.
“Manipur has a history of large scale rice production, which was used to be exported,” the body further said.
“However, presently food production has decreased due to the acquisition of farmlands for various projects. These lands should be protected as these are the only sources of livelihood for many people,” the body reiterated.