291 structures in forest areas dismantled in 2017-2023
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 13 2023:
Amid allegations that the state government has been selectively carrying out eviction of encroachers, official records listed 291 illegal structures as evicted from reserved and protected forest areas during the ten ure of BJP rule in the state, from 2017 till 2023 .
The People's Chronicle obtained a report submitted by the additional principal chief conservator of forests to the commissioner (Home) dated May 16 in response to a letter from the latter, stating that the eviction drive affected people from various communities across different districts.
Out of the total evictions, 56 illegal structures belonged to Meetei community, 22 to Nepali, 116 to Meitei Pangal, 35 to Kabui, 59 to Kuki community (including 21 unoccupied huts), and three to Chiru Naga community.
In terms of district-wise figures, the highest number of illegal structures evicted was recorded in Imphal East with 104, followed by 69 in Thoubal, 63 in Imphal West, 40 in Kangpokpi, and 15 in Noney districts.
According to the report, the eviction drives were carried out in various forest areas during different periods.
In 2018, 74 structures were evicted from Nogmaic-hing Reserved Forest (RF) in Awaching/Kobithabi areas on July 2, and five structures from Chingkheiching RF on July 3.In 2019, 18 struc tures were evicted from Langol RF (Tarung) on July 9.In 2020, three structures were evicted from Langol RF (Lamlongei) on April 24, and two structures from Langol RF (Warok & Punshi Leikai) in October.
In 2022, 16 illegal structures were evicted from Khamenlok-Gwaltabi RF on November 11, one from Langol RF (Langol Aying Leikai) on May 31, one from Heingang RF (near Pony Farm) on September 1, and four from Langol RF (Yum-jaomanbi, Leimakhullen & Gulgailong) on September 9.Additionally, 69 structures were evicted from Waithou Protected Forest (PF) (Usoipokpi to Waithou) on June 12, one from Langol RF (ICAR Research Area) on September 25, 21 from Kanglatongbi- Kangpokpi RF (including 5 unoccupied huts) during August to November, and three from Kangchup Chiru RF on De cember 6 .
In 2023, two illegal structures were dismantled in Langol RF (Iroishemba) on February 13, 15 in Chura chandpur-Khoupum RF (K Songjang) on February 20, 21 in Nongmaiching RF (Ishing Chaibi area) on February 22, one in Langol RF (Lamlongei) on March 28, three in Nongmaiching RF (Kobithabi area) on April 5, 29 in Langol RF (Lamlongei) on April 11, one in Langol RF (Khonghampat) on April 14, and one in Langol RF (Leimakhullen) on April 18 .
It is worth mentioning that the eviction drive at K Songjang village in the Churachandpur-Khoupum reserved forest area on February 20, 2023, was met with fierce objection from various organisations, especially in Churachandpur district.
The tension escalated over a period of nearly three months, leading to the burning down of a forest office by a local mob on April 29 in Churachandpur district.
Subsequently, during the tribal solidarity march organised by ATSUM on May 3, several rally participants burned down 16 more forest offices in Chu rachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts.