Sit in protests held at various complexes of Forest Office
Source: The Sangai Thoubal

Imphal, December 07 2020: Sit in protests were staged at various complexes of Forest Offices under Thoubal Forest Division today against the gun attack on Forest Department officials.

It may be mentioned that on November 29 the officials went to Waithou Protected Forest, Compartment No 8 at Yairipok Block in Chanam Sandrok to stop the felling of trees after receiving a credible lead when they came under attack.

Sit in protest was held at Kakching Range Office complex which is under Thoubal Forest Division and Thoubal Range Office complex by its respective staff and the staff of the eight Beat offices under the above mentioned two Range also staged sit in protests in their respective complexes.

38 members of Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) under Thoubal Forest Division joined the protest.

Supporting the sit in protest, around 60 members of the Joint Committee on Wildlife and Biodiversity (JCCWB) Manipur joined the protest.

Rabi Takhellambam, president of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Committee (WBCC) said that they strongly condemn the attack on forest officials who went to carry out their duties and to prevent felling of trees.

Though a police case was filed on the same day the accused have not been arrested till date, said Rabi and questioned the reason behind it.

Rabi further stated that they take such attack on the forest officials as an attack on all the nature lovers who are trying hard to protect wildlife and forest.

Unique Wildlife Protection Committee (UWLPC) Manipur formed a human chain at Sekmaijin Thong and protested against the attack.

Velentina Elangbam, ambassador of Green Mission Manipur also joined the protest.

Irengbam Babu Mangang advisor of UWLPC said it is very unfortunate that forests are being cut down extensively amid the efforts by the Chief Minister to preserve forests by forming Green Mission Manipur and so on.

He urged the CM should to investigate the matter at the earliest.

He added that the accused have not been arrested and no action has been taken till now which is of great concern when the accused persons have already been identified.

S Shamungou, RO of Thoubal stated that Waithou Protected Forest was announced as a protected site by the Manipur Government in 1966.However it is unfortunate that some residents of Chanam Sandrok are claiming it as their plot of land which is against the norms of the Forest Department.

Therefore the accused and all other persons concerned should be punished as per the law.

Placards with slogans, 'Punish the Culprit', 'Help us enforce law', 'Forest is Water', 'Forest is Life', 'Guns are not to threaten staff were used extensively in the protests held today at various places.

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