Eviction drive at Sangakpham area

IMPHAL, May 14: In a major eviction drive against illegal encroachers today, state law enforcers evicted several houses, shops and hotels located at Chingmeirong in and around Sangakpham Bazaar opposite to the Oil Pump using heavy machineries like JCBs since Monday morning.

The eviction team was led by Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East RK Dinesh Singh and Superintendent of Police Angam Romanus Kamei and included other officials and police personnel.

Dwellers of the bull dozed area lamented that the government failed to provide enough time to vacate the place. Several women and children were seen weeping as the heavy machineries tore into the structures.

Soon after the eviction of the area was completed, the police team went to Kabaw Leikai, North AOC and started eviction of some three to four houses, informed sources.

Meanwhile, the police commando personnel are also alleged to have threatened the owners of several houses which the High Court of Manipur had maintained as “Status quo” to vacate their houses at the earliest.

Meanwhile, S Sendme Executive Member of the Meira Paibi of Naga River Colony North AOC said that the Naga River, Kabaw Leikai, North AOC has been in existence for more than 60 years without any break.

It may be mentioned that the state government had notified for acquisition of the said areas for the extension of a hotel on December 17, 2010. In this connection, some indegenous villagers had filed a writ petition before the High Court against the acquisition proceedings. During the pendency, the state government issued another order thereby declaring null the patta of the villagers.

As aggrieved by the order, the petitioners/villagers approached to the High Court for cancellation of the impunged order being WP (C) No 105/2013 and after hearing both the parties, the High Court had ordered on April 18, 2013 to maintain status-quo until further order, she said.

But to our surprise, the police commandos in uniform threatened the residents to vacate the land or face dire consequences. Hence the authorities concerned may kindly look into the matter so as to respect the law of the land and extend co-operation to maintain law and order in accordance with the prevailing law, she added.