The Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) has appealed to the state chief minister and the governor to take strict action against the deputy commissioner of Imphal West district for disregarding public opinion in connection with the proposed Ring Road construction in the state.
The YFPHR alleged in a release signed by its secretary T Sadhiskanta that the Imphal West deputy commissioner restricted the general public and organisations to take part in a public meeting on the proposed construction of a Ring Road in the state held on Tuesday.
The public and representatives of various organisations visited the office of the deputy commissioner, Imphal West at 11 am Tuesday to participate in the public meeting on the proposed construction of a Ring Road from Langjing to Ghari via Lamjaotongba and to FCI Godown, the YFPHR stated.
However, no one was allowed to participate in the said public meeting, which points to some hidden agenda being discussed at the meeting, the YFPHR added.
The forum along with seven other organisations had written to the deputy commissioner on July 24, 2021 to postpone the said meeting in view of the increasing COVID-19 cases; however, the deputy commissioner issued a public order on August 6, calling for public opinion in the public meeting which was scheduled on August 10 and 11, it stated.
The general public, however, was restricted from taking part in the said meeting by the deputy commissioner, Imphal West, it alleged.
"Therefore, we have submitted a written complaint to the chief minister and the governor of Manipur to direct the deputy commissioner, Imphal West to stop the construction of Ring Road if the DC Imphal West failed to conduct and furnish the report of the Environment Impact Assessment, Livelihood Impact Assessment, Human Rights Impact Assessment and to furnish the Detailed Project Report (DPR),” the YFPHR stated.
Following it, the YFPHR appealed to the state chief minister and the governor to take strict action against the deputy commissioner, the release added.
