ADC Sadar Hills fume over endless illegal encroachment
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, July 27 2017: Autonomous District Council Sadar Hills has expressed discontent over the ceaseless illegal encroachment on the land of tribal villages particularly in and around Nongmaiching and Baruni foothills of Saikul Sub-Division under Kangpokpi District .

Speaking to media persons at ADC Sadar Hills office, Kangpokpi district HQ yesterday, its spokesperson, Thangkam Lupheng, alleged that illegal land encroachment and land snatching has been regularly practised by the villagers of Andro under the supervision and knowledge of the Andro Village chief since early 1980s and is still continuing today.

He claimed that Andro villagers attacked Heinoupokpi Kuki village in 1980 and destroyed all the standing crops in the Jhoom field, just a week before the harvesting season, rendering the villagers helpless who in turn abandoned the village .

He continued that villagers of Andro also frequently disturbed Khalong Kuki village and Tombi Hangbu (Kharam Tombi), a Kom village .

The land, which once covered a very large area, has now been reduced to a few square kilometres and most of the land is now being illegally controlled and owned by Andro villagers, he added .

Thangkam Lupheng claimed that the popular Santhei Park (Andro Park) originally belong to Kharam Tombi village but was forcibly encroached upon and controlled by Andro villagers which they later converted into Andro park .

He further said that the land of Nungkot Kom village and Nungkot Khuman, a Vaiphei village forest land, is now controlled by Andro villagers who also disturbs Kamu Vaiphei village often .

“In June and September 2004, Andro villagers began to encroach upon the land of Sandangsenba Maring village on the pretext of U-Mang Laai abode and much to the dismay of the innocent villagers, Andro villagers attacked the Jhum fields and destroyed all the standing crops when Sandangsenba villagers objected the move”, Thangkam Lupheng claimed .

He also said that Andro villagers repeated the act at Sandangsenba village land in June this year which led to a highly volatile confrontation .

Urging the State Government to look into the matter and take up necessary actions , Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council Administration urged the villagers of Andro work together for peace and harmony among the different communities residing in the State .

It also appealed all the civil society organizations, public leaders and the general public to take note of the matter seriously and exert necessary efforts to put an end to the matter at the earliest.

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