Imphal, August 20: Highlighting the plight of the people of Tousem sub-division in Tamenglong district after their crops have been destroyed by rodents following bamboo flowering, chairman of Development Co-ordinating Team (DCT) Federation, Tousem P Damsuak has drawn the attention of the Govt for providing necessary compensation to the affected people at the earliest possible.

Addressing a press conference at the office of National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) here today, Damsuak said DCT Federation and NIPCO would be constraint to launch intense agitation against the Govt in case it fails to redress the grievance of the affected people.

Damsuak pointed out that of the total forest area in Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district, 70 percent are Bamboo forest which provide source of livelihood to many people.

But after the phenomenon of widespread flowering of Bamboos which broke out since February-March 2005, the people of the sub-division have been facing lot of difficulties.

Apart from having cut of their main economic activity of felling Bamboos and selling them in the market, the rodent population which has been increased manifold as a result of the Bamboo flowering have destroyed all the standing crops of the villagers living in the remote sub-division.

Maize cultivation for this year have already been damaged by the rodents and there is the lingering fear of possible attack on the paddy crops before the same could be harvested, Damsuak said.

Recalling the statement made by Forest and Environment Minister on the floor of the Assembly during its session in May this year that a sum of Rs 280.55 lakhs had been allotted for giving financial assistance to the affected people of Bamboo flowering in Tamenglong district, Damsuak lamented that no far no such assistance have been received by the affected people of Tousem sub-division.

Reacting to the claim made by Conservator of Forest Konjengbam Jagdishwar through newspapers on April 22 this year that Bamboos have been replanted in over 2640 hectares of forest area in Tamenglong district, he further clarified that no such plantation had been ever taken up in Tousem division.

Raising the demand for electrification of all the villages in Tousem sub-division under the scheme of Bharat Nirman and completion of the road construction work from Tamenglong headquarters to Makru bridge, the DCT Federation, Tousem sub-division and the Bamboo Flowering Managing Committee have also jointly submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

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