ATRPFM and RNSOM condemn eviction drive
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 28 2020:
The All Tribal Rights' Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has rebuked the State Government for evicting 3 houses in Macheng village of Mantripukhri area, said a press release issued by ATRPFM.
The eviction comes amid the ensuing lockdown when Government should be looking after the needs of the people instead of adding burden and leaving its citizens homeless, it said.
It is also found that the claims made by the Government that the houses were constructed during lockdown is false, after locals informed that they were constructed in 2017 .
Such false claims by the Government is shameful, it expressed.
Furthermore, the eviction notice was served on April 21 and 23 and eviction was executed on April 24 .
The statement also informed that Macheng village was established under de-reservation of 2.75 acres out of the Langol Forest Reserve for rehabilitation of the villagers and the State Under Secretary had written a letter to that effect and all of them have land pattas issued by the State Government.
It is inhumane on the part of the State Government to evict residents from their homes, leaving them homeless during a National lockdown.
Citing examples said that almost 2,000 informal settlements in Delhi were set to be legalized to house about 4 million slum dwellers and the Union Cabinet passed a Bill to regularize 1,797 unauthorized slums in the country's most populous city, giving residents ownership rights at "minimal rates" that would enable them to build and sell properties and take loans.
In 2012, as many as 895 colonies were regularised by the then Congress government led by Sheila Dikshit, it said and added that in other States, the Government gives its best effort to provide shelters and facilities.
However, in Manipur even land patta holders with Dag No.are evicted during the National lockdown, it said.
Moreover, when issues pertaining to eviction of tribal forest dwellers arise, the provisions of the Forests Rights Act, 2006 should be reflected but the State government only mentioned the Forest Act, 1927 and 1971 .
The Commissioner of TA&Hills is also to be made a part in decision making.
However, the State Government has failed to do so.
The eviction was done just a day after issuing the notice which is extremely inhumane and also violates right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution and Human Rights, it added.
On the other hand, the Rongmei Naga Students' Organisation Manipur (RNSOM) has backed ATRPFM and condemned the eviction of the 3 houses terming it as inhumane and cruel.
The organisation urged the Government to refrain from committing such acts, said RNSOM in a statement.
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