Langol Reserved Forest at Mantripukhri ; Encroachers evicted, cop hurt in stand off
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 24 2020:
One police personnel was hurt when Forest Department evicted encroachers and dismantled three dwelling houses at Macheng village, Lamlongei, Mantripukhri under Langol Reserved Forest area today.
The newly constructed houses belonged to Khonthuingampou Panmei, husband of Gaingamliu Malangmei.
Locals blocked road and denied entry to Forest Department for sometime before police personnel fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Security personnel including women police, Central Forest Division personnel led by DFO RK Amarjit, Imphal East Magistrate, Additional SP and SDPO Imphal East reached Macheng village, Lamlongei at around 8.30 am where they were denied entry by locals who were blocking the road.
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As talks with leaders of the village to disperse the crowd failed, the police personnel reminded that 'curfew/lockdown is still effective' and warned them to disperse.
As the locals paid no heed to the warning, police resorted to firing rubber bullets and tear gas shells.
Some locals too used catapults hurting one police personnel.
There are around 1,346 alleged illegal structures (houses) in areas under Langol Reserved Forest with pending eviction cases.
There had been office memorandum banning new construction (of houses/structures), said DFO RK Amarjit informing that the owner of the houses dismantled today was sent notice regarding eviction on April 21 .
A regular patrolling team of the Central Forest Division had come across and stopped the construction work of three houses recently.
However, taking advantage of the lockdown due to COVID-19, the encroacher resumed the construction, he said.
Meanwhile, a statement of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and HoFF, K Angami stated that the Department has initiated action against the encroacher as per relevant laws.
Encroachment including illegal constructions inside reserved forests violate provision of Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Manipur Forest Rules, 1971.Besides eviction, the encroachers are liable for punishment with imprisonment or fine or both.
They are also liable to pay compensation for damage to forests and all the materials deposited on the land being encroached upon are also liable to be forfeited, said the statement.