Kangchup Chiru VA appeals
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, September 17 2024: The Kangchup Chiru Village Authority has submitted a memorandum to Thongam Biswajit Singh, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) requesting early demarcation of Kangchup Chiru Reserve Forest and justice for victims of alleged forced eviction carried out on December 6, 2022 at Kangchup Chiru village.

A press release issued by Allen Thanga, chairman/chief, Kangchup Chiru Village Authority, Kangpokpi, has said that the memorandum spelled out that the eviction was "in violation of the provisions of Section 3(1) (r) of the Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Section 4(5) of the FRA, 2006 and Section 19 of UNDRIP, 2007 etc.

The memorandum also demanded justification for the issue of alleged "forced eviction" of two houses by compensating the loss and damages caused upon Tr Rengsomding and Tr Finalson.

It also called for revocation of the FIR filed against 9 people of Kangchup Chiru village for "defending their rights over forest and land".

In the memorandum to the Environment, the Village Authority also called for medical treatment for nine victims of alleged assault, some of whom have impaired hearing due to reported explosions on December 6, 2022 .

The village Authority also called upon the Forest Department to clearly identify the exact portion of the Kangchup Chiru Reserve Forest as per official document and the original map and stressed that the Department should make a clear demarcation of Kangchup Chiru Reserve Forest within Sembum Lok to Yumbum Lok.

Further, it asserted that if the Forest Department requires acquisition of more forest land, it should seek Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) of the concerned tribal village as per FRA 2006 as well cas Section 19 of the UNDRIP 2007 .

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