CM assures survey with locals' nod
Source: Chronicle News Service
CCpur, April 15 2023:
Deeply concerned over the uneasy situation in Churachandpur district amidst the ongoing survey by forest and revenue departments to evict encroachers from Khoupum Protected Forest area, Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute along with affected village chiefs called on chief minister N Biren Singh at latter's secretariat office in Imphal, on Saturday.
After thorough discussion with the chief minister, it was decided that the survey would be suspended and a high-level consultation committee constituted soon with the chief minister as the chairman.
The proposed high level consultation committee will hold talks with all stakeholders including affected village chiefs and the survey would be resumed only after getting the report of the committee.
During the meeting, the chief minister assured the team of representatives that all issues that may arise during the survey would be addressed keeping in mind the interest of the public.
CM Biren, however, emphasised on conducting survey of Protected Forest Areas in the district which were earlier blocked and thwarted by irate villagers on two occasions.
His opinion was conveyed at the meeting with Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute along with the village chiefs of the constituency.
The joint meeting was held in the backdrop of Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip and LM Khaute wrote to the Forest & Environment minister suggesting that instructions be issued to officials concerned to cease further surveys before the contentious land issues are satisfactorily clarified.
Meanwhile, CM in his Twitter post said, "We had a productive deliberation regarding the confusion which arose in the survey of the Churachandpur- Khoupum Protected Forest area.
"After a thorough discussion we have come to an understanding and further survey will be conducted in consultation with the village chiefs and concerned authorities," his tweet read.
One of the village chiefs, Nepuni Lokho also twitted, "So nice to see sit down with the locals and talk about issues that matter.
Thank you so much for being really helpful to the citizens of Manipur.
Long live, CM sir" .
The villagers of Valpakot and Sielmat blocked all the entrance and exit points of the village to show their resentment and repudiation against surveys being carried out in their village on April 11 and 13 .
The survey team led by SDO Tuibong Jangminlen Lupho and ADM Churachandpur S Thienlaljoy Gangte could not go ahead with the survey as the villagers along with various civil society organizations strongly opposed the survey.
The team met with 'Go Back' slogan, after which the team headed back as they could no longer carry out their intended survey.
The village chiefs also submitted letters of objection to the survey team, informing them that the villages they lived in are being bonafide patta land are never a part of the so-called Khoupum Protected Forest area, MLA Khaute took the initiative to meet the chief minister after leaders of Churachandpur-based philanthropic organisations and civil society organisations stood firm against the survey and imminent breach of law and order over the matter.
Residents of certain pockets in Churachandpur town and its peripheral areas fear that the ongoing survey would evict them.