Chaos in Phayeng as forest officials erect sign board
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 08 2022: A chaotic situation erupted at Phayeng village in Imphal West district on Wednesday after forest officials erected a sign board at Phayeng Uyok falling under Dag Chitha of the village.

Tension gripped the village when local raised objection against three staff of Kangpokpi forest division who came and erected a sign board displaying Phayeng Uyok as Kangchup Chiru Reserved Forest area.

Enraged over erecting the sign board without taking consent of local leaders, the villagers detained all the three forest staffers and their vehicles.

Later, a team of police led by additional SP (LO) and forest officials came at the village and held talk with the agitated villagers.

During the talk, villagers informed forest officials that Phayeng villagers have been protecting and preserving Phayeng Uyok forest since the time of kings and looking after it daily by forming a committee and even put in efforts for making it a community forest.

The villagers then steadfastly opposed the government's attempt to include Phayeng Uyok under Kangchup Chiru Reserved Forest.

During the talk, deputy range officer of forest department David Athokpam said that forest officials came to erect the sign board as per land record of forest department.

However, error of the department in erecting the sign board, if any, and claim of the villagers can be settled through dialogue, he said and removed the sign board.

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