Village chief among seven held for destroying forest
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 30 2023: As part of the measures taken up by Imphal East district police to stop deforestation and man-made bushfires in reserved forest areas and other forest areas of the state, the district police arrested seven people including a village chief for starting bushfires and felling down trees on Thursday.

The arrested people have been identified as Dongkhomang Khongsai alias Mangcha (30) s/o Ngamkam Khongsai, Paomang Haokip (62) s/o (L) Nekhai Haokip, Hangpao Haokip (48) s/o (L) Hemjamang Haokip, Haobisang Khongsai (27) s/o Kampu Khongsai, all from Khonomphai village, Kangpokpi; Thokchom Tomba Meitei alias Ibungomacha (54) s/o (L) Thokchom Ibobi Meitei of Sanjenlok village, Thokchom Mangiyaima (54) s/o (L) Parijat of Yumnam Khunou Awang Leikai; and SD Molnom village chief Hempao Haokip (57) s/o (L) Semdou Haokip, presently residing at Haokip Veng, Mahabali.

Addressing a press meet on Thursday, Imphal East SP Ksh Shivakanta informed that on receipt of reliable input of some people starting a bushfire and felling trees illegally in Kongba Maru Laiphamlen on Thursday afternoon, a combined team of Sagolmang PS and the district police commando rushed to the area and attempted to take the bushfire under control.

During the operation, the team detained Dongkhomang Khongsai and Paomang Haokip, who were trying to escape after starting the fire in the area.

After the police team managed to stop the bushfire from spreading in the surrounding areas, they questioned the two detainees.

Acting on their (detainees) disclosure, the team then arrested Hangpao Haokip and Haobisang Khongsai, who were in the midst of cutting down trees on the hillside.

Upon interrogating Hangpao and Haobisang, Tomba Meitei and Thokchom Mangiyaima, who were starting another bush fire in another part of the hill, were also arrested.

All of the arrested people revealed that they were carrying out the illegal activities as per the instruction of SD Molnom village chief Hempao Haokip, presently residing at Haokip Veng, Mahabali.

Hempao was then arrested from his residence shortly after, the SP conveyed.

Urging all concerned not to start bushfires or cut down trees in reserved forest or in unclassified forest areas while the state government is working hard to protect the environment and solve the water shortage issue;, Shivakanta said that the clearing of forest areas not only affects the environment but also leads to shortage of water.

He then cautioned that anyone found carrying out such illegal activities will be strictly punished, in accordance to the law of the land.

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