JCCOTR-M condemns eviction in Henglep subdivision
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, February 23 2023:
Taking serious note the recent eviction drive conducted by the state government in the hill areas, particularly at Kangchup Chiru in Kangchup Geljang Sub-Division and K Songjang village in Henglep subdivision "where hundreds of villagers were made homeless, subjected to rough treatment, violence and devoid of any care for humanitarian values"; Joint Coordination Committee on Tribal Rights, Manipur (JCCOTR-M) has strongly condemned the state government for this "inhumane act" .
In a statement on Thursday, JCCOTR-M said that the tribals in the hills are traditionally forest dwellers and their livelihood depends on the forests and its produce.
"The tribal communities have lived in these forest lands for years and at the same time nurture the environment through their tribal traditional methods of conservation by using the forests judiciously," it added.
JCCOTR-M then pointed out that the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 in its Section (3) sub-section (1) of clause (a) clearly mentioned that "right to hold and live in the forest land under the individual or common occupation for habitation or self-cultivation for livelihood by a member or members of a forest dwelling Scheduled Tribe or other traditional forest dwellers.
"And where as insection (2) clause (o) mentioned that, any member or community who has for at least three generations (one generation comprising of 25 years) prior to December 13, 2005 primarily resided in and who depend on the forest or forest lands for bona fide livelihood needs.
The state BJP government must understand that the forests and the tribals cannot be separated at any condition.
Hence, the state government must arrange for rehabilitation including the alternative land for settlement and cost for lost properties", it demanded.
Therefore, JCCOTR-M said that the "forceful eviction" of villages located inside the reserved forests is in contravention with The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Right) Act, 2006, "and it should be termed as unlawful and illegal act of government machineries and the state force" .