ICHAM flays eviction order
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 25 2012:
Information Centre for Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM) has strongly denounced eviction order served to five dwellers of Luwangsangbam Matai village, who were identified as ICHAM functionaries, by the Forest Department on March 21 last.
The notification was reportedly issued against the five families of Luwangsangbam Matai, adjacent to the Langol Reserve Forest boundary to vacate their places within 20 days.
The notice, issued by the Divisional Forest Officer, Central Forest Division, addressed all the occupants as ICHAM functionaries.
Addressing media persons today at Luwangsangbam Matai village in this regard, Secretary of ICHAM, N Rajendro (Boy) questioned the State Forest Department as to why no action has been taken against the 'illegal' settlement of around 2500 households in Langol Range that is under the Langol Reserve Forest.
Asking why ICHAM has been victimised, Rajendro warned of initiating legal action against the department if it fails to clarify the matter through the media immediately.
He charged that the Forest Department has given protection to encroachers in the Langol Reserve Forest area since many years back.
Boy also said that felling of trees and hunting of birds and animals, excavation, setting forest fire, and settlement of people are prohibited in 19.22 square kilometre Langol Reserve Forest area under Indian Forest Act 1927 .
Under Section 6 (I) of the Indian Forest Act, any trespasser is liable to punishment including six months imprisonment.
However, settlers/encroachers in the Langol Reserve Forest area have been not punished.
The settlement of people and construction of religious places are also punishable under Manipur Forest Rule 1971 .
ICHAM charged that the State Forest Department has not taken any action against the violation of Forest rules.
Instead, it encouraged the trespassers.
Against these backdrops, ICHAM Secretary, N Rajendro has leased an 80 point patta land of a person S Kiran for farming and grazing purposes.
A family has been kept at a place near the Reserve Forest border to look after the farm and cattles, he said.
The Forest Department has, on March 21 issued a notification against five dwellers of Luwangsangbam Matai including the family who looks after his farm, near the Reserve Forest boundary to vacate their places within 20 days.
The organisation ICHAM has nothing to do with the leasing of S Kiran's land by him, Rajendro said.
If the Forest department is serious enough to develop and maintain forests area, it has to take action against many encroachers in the Langol Reserve Forest area, he contended.
He said that many people live and own farmland in Luwangsangbam area and why only five household families have been served the notice, he asked.
If a particular community is barred from settling in the hill, then it means that the Department is engineering communal enmity among the various communities of the State, he further charged.