Opp against permanent allotment of land for army school

Aizawl, May 5 (UNI) The opposition Zoram Nationalist Party(ZNP) here today expressed concern over the approval given by the cabinet in allocating permanent land to the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warefare School (CIJW) at Vairengte.

In a statement the ZNP said the ruling Mizo National Front(MNF) should not make the decision by itself but instead call an all party and NGO meeting to decide the matter.

While admitting that the CIJW School had generated employment and income for the villagers of Vairengte, the release said if it means losing lands permanently, it would rather lose whatever benefits the School has provided for the local population. It said the Constitution of India provides for the welfare of scheduled tribes and safeguards against any exploitation in Article 46.

''We are totally opposed to giving away part of our land without having any terms and conditions applied to it,'' the ZNP said.

The release further added that even if the state is to take steps towards development, it should not be at the cost of losing our land. Even if land is to be alloted to the army, it should be a on lease system or on a rental basis, the release said, adding that it was not fair to the locals who are asked to pay high land taxes while those from outside get the land free.

UNI SNR PL KLC1406