Leitanpokpi residents petition Governor over alleged encroachment by Hilltop Road Project

Villagers of Leitanpokpi in Imphal East district have submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur raising objections to the construction of a road on Leitanpokpi Hill Top, locally referred to as Leitanpokpi Uyok Ching, alleging unlawful encroachment on village land.
The representation, submitted under the banner of the Young Sporting Club, opposed the alignment of a road linking Maibung and Gangpijang villages, stating that the proposed route passes through land belonging to Leitanpokpi village.
According to the memorandum, Leitanpokpi village acquired ownership of the hilltop following an order issued on January 13, 1999, by the then Sub-Divisional Officer of Sadar Hills East, Saikul. The villagers stated that the land ownership was legally documented through a registered sale deed and supported by official trace maps, copies of which were provided to Lok Bhavan.
The memorandum alleged that the road construction was undertaken without authorisation by members of the Kuki community, resulting in encroachment on village land. It further referred to a Preliminary Offence Report registered by the Kangpokpi Forest Division on November 4, 2025, under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021, in which the road construction was reportedly declared illegal.
The villagers also maintained that existing road connectivity already serves the concerned areas, including the Imphal–Saikul Road and another route passing along the western slope of Purum Khunou Hill. They claimed that the latter road was constructed by the local community in 2023 without official clearance and questioned the need for a new road passing through the Leitanpokpi hilltop.
Appealing for immediate intervention, the villagers urged the Governor to stop further construction activities and take necessary steps to safeguard village land, citing legal, environmental, and community-related concerns.