ATSUM, KIM cry foul
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, February 21 2023:
The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) have condemned the eviction drive carried out at K Songjang Village in Henglep Sub Division, Churachandpur district yesterday.
ATSUM termed the eviction at K Songjang as "unlawful," alleging that forceful eviction of villages purportedly located inside a reserved forest is in contravention with the resolution of the Hill Areas Committee.
"This inhumane act of the Government is condemnable", it stated.
ATSUM stated that tribals in the hills were traditionally forest dwellers.
"Their livelihood depends on the forests and its produce," it added.
ATSUM also stated that creation of reserved forests and protected forests has curtailed the means of livelihood of tribal people.
The Hill Areas Committee in its resolution adopted on 11th March 2021 resolved that there is a procedural error in the declaration of reserved forests after 1972 and as such declaration of protected forest, reserved forest, and wildlife sanctuary on or after 20th June 1972 shall not be enforced by the Department until they are approved since it pertains to Scheduled Matters of Article 371C of the Presidential Order 1972, ATSUM said.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur also condemned the eviction drive at K Songjang in the strongest term.
"It is a clear violation of fundamental human rights as the villagers were evicted without any alternate resettlement arrangements," they said.
Also, the Kuki Students' Organisation Leimata Block has condemned the eviction carried out at K Songjang village.