The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Manipur, has raised serious concern regarding the recent order notified by the District Magistrate of Imphal West, mandating NOC for all the structures within the diameter of 56 km of Imphal Airport.
The CSO, in a statement, said the particular orders now require a second look, considering the typographical features of the state, as there are huge landscape differences between Manipur and other states of India, and it would not be pertinent if the same were applied in a small state like Manipur.
The FOCS also said it appreciated the precaution taken by the Airport Authority of India, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, after the tragic incident of the crash that lost lives, including two from Manipur. However, the steps taken up by the AAI, one-size-fits-all, would not be suited or applicable here in Manipur, as they are built or designed on the typographical foundation of other states.
The CSO also reminded that the valley consists of only 10 percent of the total area of Manipur, and the rest, 90 percent, is surrounded by hilly areas. And nearly 60 percent of the population from all communities are concentrated in the small 10 percent valley area.
With the yearly increasing population size in the valley, there is a greater demand for space; however, the Meitei community, which is considered the majority population, is not allowed to settle in hill areas according to the Manipur Land Revenue & Reforms Act. FOCS appeals to the District Magistrate that it would be the right decision to revisit the order by formulating bylaws suited to the current landscape so that it doesn’t bring forth space congestion and not affect a tremendous number of people in the future.
