Villagers, cops clash during eviction drive
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
Churachandpur, February 20 2023:
A scuffle broke out between police and villagers of K Songjang during an eviction drive carried out along Old Cachar (Khoupum) road, on Monday.
According to reports, the eviction drive was conducted at K Songjang village which is situated along Old Cachar road, about 30 kilometres from Bishnupur district headquarters.
The eviction team led by ADGP L Kailun and IGP Themthing Muivah was confronted by the villagers who opposed the eviction drive.
The protesting villagers clashed with the police wherein a number of villagers sustained minor injuries.
Despite stiff resistance by the villagers, the eviction drive was carried out.
Twelve buildings including the village Church were demolished.
Commenting on the incident, one Paominlun of K Songjang village said that the authorities concerned have informed that settling along the highway is illegal.
"Under which provision or article of the Indian Constitution, settling along the highway is illegal," he enquired.
The Noney DFO staff came to the village on Sunday night and warned them that eviction drive would be conducted and threatened the villagers to keep the information a secret, he alleged and questioned the rationale behind discreetly carrying out the eviction drive, without any prior information or intimidation to the villagers.
We have pleaded to the authority concerned not to con duct the eviction on humanitarian ground but was blatantly ignored, he said while adding that school going children who were returning home in the afternoon were seen weeping profusely, after seeing their homes reduced to rubbles.
"We even pleaded with them to spare the village Church, but was ignored," he said.
The villagers reportedly refused to vacate and remained at the demolished houses as a mark of protest.
Civil society organisations including KSO Leimata, KSO Churachandpur and the Kuki Khanglai Lawmpi (KKL) have also reached the spot to assess the situation.
Local MLA Letzamang Haokip also arrived and dashed to Imphal for a meeting with the chief min ister to discuss the issue.
KSO Leimata and KKL Leimata have arranged rehabilitation facilities for the affected villagers.