ZNCM opposes Govt-initiated survey
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 04 2023:
The Zeme Naga Council Manipur (ZNCM) expressed concern on the proposed joint survey initiated by Jiribam Forest division for extension of the Kaiphundai Reserved Forest area.
In a release, Council's general secretary L Etalakpe said that order for survey is a direct challenge to the ancestral land owners who are the native inhabitants of Tousem sub-division under Tamenglong district.
It is a well-planned initiative to take away the land of Zeliangrong people, he said and made the council's stand loud and clear that any attempt to alter the boundary or demarcation by forest or revenue departments and administrative inclusion without the consent and consultation from the local inhabitants of the ancestral land owners will be fought tooth to nail.
The council will not remain silent if any attempt is made now and in the future, it affirmed and suggested that authorities concerned put the matter to rest once and for all.
Mention may be made that Tousem Headquarters Students' Union (THSU) had also declared that survey, if any, should be done with the consent of the indigenous inhabitants.
"THSU will not tolerate any infringement on the rights of the native dwellers and encroachment into our land may trigger unwanted incident which we will not be responsible for," the Union had asserted in a statement issued by its publicity wing.