TAMKL calls for creation of 'Special Forest Protection Force'
Source: The Sangai Express
Bishnupur, August 27 2023:
With the objective of safeguarding Protected Forests in the hill areas of Manipur, the Tangleihada Manipur Kanba Lup, Oinam (TAMKL) has urged the State Government to make a resolution to set up a Special Forest Protection Force during the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.
The appeal was put forward by L Baleshore, co-ordinator, TAMKL, during a public opinion meeting organised by the group at Oinam Bazar today to give a voice to the peoples' aspirations and deliver them to the State legislators to be deliberated during the Assembly session on August 29 .
Addressing the gathering, L Baleshore stated that the public is not satisfied with the Government despite the numerous measures undertaken by them in connection with the ongoing conflict.
Lauding the role of village volunteers in the conflict, he added that without their contribution, the death toll on both sides would have been much higher.
Thus, he urged the State Government to mobilize these unemployed village volunteers under a Special Forest Protection Force to preserve the Protected Forests in the hill regions of the State.
He pointed out that as the hill areas are sparsely populated, with the villages and houses being separated by long distances, the Special Forest Protection Force will be able to provide adequate protection to the forests and thus contribute in conserving the ecological balance and combating the dreaded issue of climate change.
Speaking on the occasion, O Chaoba, secretary, TAKML Advisory Committee opined that a case should to be filed against the ten Chin-Kuki MLAs who have raised the demand for separate administration.
He further called into question the failure to hold a joint meeting with the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister along with all political stakeholders, namely the State MLAs including the ten Chin-Kuki MLAs.
O Chaoba also denounced the silence of the State and Central Government in response to the demand for a separate DGP and Chief Secretary for five hill districts in Manipur raised by the ten Chin Kuki MLAs.
At such a critical juncture, if the State MLAs cannot work for the people then they should resign, he said.
Despite the late hour, he appealed to the State Government to pass resolutions for the welfare of the people at the monsoon session of the Assembly.
Notable attendees at today's public meeting include social worker O Ibochouba Khuman; N Sharatchandra, advisor, TAMKL; I Jugeshore, president; Oinam M Roma Devi, vice president; Oinam O Sanahanbi Devi, vice president; Oinam H Maipak Devi, advisor; Oinam G Dhaneshwor Sharma, advisor; Oinam O Nimaichand Singh, advisor; Oinam W Rajeshwor Singh, advisor, TAMKL and Oinam M Kesho Singh, advisor, TAMKL among others.