Ex-MLA clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2014 :
Former legislator from Heingang assembly constituency W Jagor has categorically denied news-paper report that he handed over ownership right of Heingang ching (hillock) to a particular community.
Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press club today, Jagor said due to his (ex-MLA) initiative the then Chief Conservator of forests BSK Sharma issued an order on February 21, 1981 for development of Heingang Ching as a social forestry project.
Explaining that under social forestry project the locals are supposed to undertake forest conservation activities along with the right to depend on the forest products for supporting livelihood and collect fodder for their cattles, the former legislator said he even carried out extensive awareness campaign regarding social forestry.
Asserting that he had never handed over ownership right to any community while he was the Heingang AC MLA, Jagor also highlighted the then order included a condition the order for social forestry project would be annulled in case the said forest land is used for other activities not related to social forestry.
It may be mentioned that alleged land ownership dispute has been creating tension in Heingang area when a group of people belonging to a particular community disrupted a religious ceremony performed there some days evoking strong reaction from the other community.