Tribal bodies condemn eviction drive

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 17 : The Indigenous Tribals Land Protection Committee Manipur has strongly condemned the eviction drive recently carried out by the State Government at Pantilong village.
Addressing a press conference today at Langol Tarung Community Hall, Angamlu Pamei, president of the Committee, expressed his anguish over the alleged forceful eviction and dismantling of about 29 houses in Pantilong by the Forest Department with the support of Police personnel.
He also claimed that indigenous tribals have been settled in Pantilong since 1961.
He asserted that the drive has left many indigenous tribals homeless and in need of immediate assistance.
Angamlu further urged the State Government to consider the suffering of the people and provide suitable compensation to the victims affected by the drive.
Meanwhile, Rongmei Naga Luh Phwam Manipur, Imphal Luangrian (RNLPM-IL) has also condemned the eviction drives carried out at Macheng Namthan and Pantilong village.
In a release, RNLPM-IL alleged that the eviction of indigenous tribals at Pantilong village on April 11 is a glazing example of indigenous minority exploitation by democratically elected Government.
It asserted that with the increase in population, the so-called Forest Land has been brought under cultivation and human habitation from time to time.
"Weaker sections of the society in some pockets here and there may be exploited for the benefit of the stronger and more powerful section. But the overall process of civilization is not stopped by one sided action taken against the voiceless marginalized section of the society", it added.
RNLPM-IL further expressed its regret over giving more importance to forest than livelihood of the indigenous tribes.
Meanwhile, members of Rongmei Naga Luh Phwam Manipur, Imphal Luangrian and Indigenous Tribals Land Protection Committee Manipur distributed relief items to the evicted families at Macheng Namthan-Pantilong, Lamlongei-7, Imphal East on April 16-17.