More demolished at reserved forest site
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 03 2018:
Several structures of a religious centre located at Tharoisibi Lok near Awaching of Nongmaiching reserved forest were demolished today after 74 houses built at Awaching were demolished yesterday.
The religious centre named Ima Leishem Enat Loishang was developed by Nongpok Chingu Thong Semgat-Sagatpa Apunba Lup.
After the care-takers of the religious centre were given time till noon to take out all the moveable articles and make necessary alternative arrangement, a joint team of Forest Department, Imphal East district administration and police started the demolition.
They first demolished the brick compound wall which was followed by other structures built inside the centre.
However, one temple/shrine was left unharmed.
Meanwhile, the Nongpok Chingu Thong Semgat-Sagatpa Apunba Lup has expressed strong resentment over destruction of infrastructure built at the cost of several crores due to alleged communication gap among Government departments.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club this evening, Nongpok Chingu Thong Semgat-Sagatpa Apunba Lup managing committee member Thangjam Meirihenba said that the religious centre was set up with the objective of preserving the indigenous religious faith, culture and traditions with due permission of the Government.
The religious centre's compound covers around six sangams and it was handed over to the Lup after paying premium at the rate of Rs 80,000 per sangam and this arrangement was executed with due permission of the Revenue Department and the Imphal East DC.
Had they (Government) said that the compound falls within reserved forest area, no infrastructure would have been developed, Meirihenba rued.