Massive protests in Manipur against alleged eviction drives; SP and other police personnel hurt in scuffle

Thousands took to the streets in Manipur today, decrying the alleged extension of land revenue in scheduled hill areas of the state

At least 10 police personnel, including the Kangpokpi district SP Vikramjit Singh, were hurt after tension erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district after hundreds defied Section 144 CRPC and gathered at the Brigadier Thomas Ground in the district headquarters.

Widespread protests broke out in the state’s hill districts against alleged eviction drives carried out by the state government without proper rehabilitation and resettlement of those evicted.

Thousands took to the streets in Manipur’s Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, and Kangpokpi today, holding placards and banners, decrying the alleged extension of land revenue in scheduled hill areas of Manipur.

As per inputs, Kangpokpi police tried to disperse the crowd and eventually fired several tear gas shells.

Following which, the agitated protesters soon started pelting stones during the rally, where police personnel were hurt in the scuffle.

The protestors have alleged that tribally inhabited villages or land under private ownership has been wrongly declared a reserved forest area, protected forest area, protected site, and a wildlife sanctuary, among others.

While police prohibited the gathering of five or more persons under Section 144, some representatives were allowed to march to the DC office to submit a memorandum to Governor Anusuiya Uikey.

The memorandum seeks the governor’s intervention against Reserved Forest, Protected Forest, Protected Sites, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Extension of Land Revenue in Scheduled Land, and Eviction by the Forest Department.

A similar protest rally was also carried out in Churachandpur district against alleged forceful eviction and demolition without proper rehabilitation and resettlement.

The protest rally was jointly organized by the Kuki Students Organization, or KSO, and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum, or ITLF.

Protestors have alleged that certain areas in various districts, including Churachandpur, have been wrongfully declared as wetlands.

The protestors further alleged that the water channels and paddy fields are outside the definition of wetlands under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management Rules) 2017, and have asked for a proper clarification as to how and why certain privately owned properties have been brought under the Wetlands and declared illegal.

The protestors have called the rally in protest against the eviction of residents from one such village, namely K. Songjang.

Meanwhile, another similar rally was also carried out at Moreh in Tengnoupal district. The peaceful rally was carried out from Gamnom Ground Moreh to the Office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s Office Moreh.

The rally was organized by the Kuki Chief Association, the Hill Tribal Council, the Moreh Youth Club, the Kuki Women’s Union, Human Rights, the Kuki Students Organization Moreh, and various other CSOs of the Kuki Tribes.

Also Watch: Widespread protest across Manipur’s hill districts against alleged eviction drives

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