Encroachments in Waithou Ching infuriates CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 23 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh was left fuming on Saturday after parts of the Waithou hill range from Tangjeng to Usoipokpi along NH-02 (Imphal-Moreh), which falls under reserved forest area, were found levelled to make way for many illegal settlements.

The CM made the discovery on his return route from Khongjom after attending the Khongjom Day observance.

Presently, the stretch of road from Canchipur to Pallel of NH-102 is being realigned and undergoing an expan sion.

The previous route from Usoipokpi to Tangjeng is being realigned separately and the level of the road is being raised, in addition to construction of bridges and carrying out expansion wherever necessary.

However, many RCC houses have cropped up in the area between the previous route in Waithou range and the new road being built.

Various areas of the hill range which is part of the reserved forest area have also been levelled to make space for permanent RCC structures/houses.

CM Biren, who was on his way back with Forest and Environment minister Th Biswajit and Works minister Govindas Konthoujam, was furious after witnessing the scene.

They alighted from their vehicles and inspected the illegal encroachments as well as parts of the hill range that had been levelled off.

The CM immediately instructed the officials concerned to cancel any pattaland in the area, as no patta can be claimed in reserved forest areas according to the law.

He also questioned what the officials were doing when a large expanse of the hill range was levelled, while reminding the officials not to take his instructions for cancellation of the illegal land deeds perfunctory.

It may be mentioned here that The People's Chronicle had previously published a report about parts of Waithou hill range being levelled off, before the scenario witnessed on Saturday.

At the time, the government failed to take any action in the matter.

Although CM Biren expressed his fury, no action was taken up from the government 's side till late evening, as was reported by the daily's correspondent.

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