IT News
Churachandpur, Apr 28:
Normal life in Churachandpur district has been severely disrupted following the 8 – hours shutdown called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) against the eviction of villagers from protected forests in the tribal-dominated southern Manipur district today.
The district headquarter, New Lamka town, where Chief Minister N Biren Singh was earlier scheduled to attend a programme, wore a deserted look as all private and public vehicles kept off the road except for those of security personnel.
Markets were closed with all shops and establishments pulling down their shutters, police said.
Protesters were seen blocking roads and burning tyres in the morning. They had also piled up debris at the entrance gate of the New Lamka town but this was later cleared by police teams.
So far, no report of any violence has been reported from anywhere in the tribal-dominated district, police said.
A huge police force has been deployed at all major junctions and large localities of the town to prevent any unwanted activities, an official said.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum, which has been objecting to the BJP government’s survey of reserved and protected forests and areas like wetlands, has called a bandh in the district today from 8 am to 4 pm.
The forum claimed that despite the repeated submission of memorandums to the government protesting an ongoing eviction drive to clear reserved forested areas of farmers and other tribal settlers, “the government has shown no sign of willingness or sincerity in addressing the plight of the people.”
Kuki Students’ Organisation has also come out in support of the forum, alleging “step-motherly treatment to tribals.” In a statement, the Kuki Students’ Organisation said it condemns “undermining tribal rights including demolition of religious centres and illegally evicting tribal villages”.
A local organisation then approached the Manipur High Court. A bench of acting Chief Justice MV Muralidaran said people were evicted from the churches based on the documents, policy decisions, and in line with the Supreme Court’s directions on dealing with illegal constructions.
