‘Under direction from Centre; report already forwarded
Al Ngullie
Dimapur | June 20
After a good lapse of time and controversy, the Nagaland Government finally ordered the administration of Peren district and police to investigate the presence of encroachers in Intangki National Park. Following the assessment of state of affairs, a report has already been forwarded to the state government with the imperative recommendation that the government intervene on priority basis to bring to an end the encroachment.
In what was informed to be a ‘secret mission,’ a joint team of Peren’s administration, the police and forest officials on June 11 last, quietly arrived at Intangki National park, in Peren district, and commenced combing the area for a first-hand assessment of the affairs in question. Highly reliable sources informed that the team comprised of the Deputy Commissioner of Peren, the Superintendent of Police, SDO (C ) of Jalukie and a good number of government observes and officials from the Forest department.
The team carried out combing and inspection covering the enclosure of the park. The reserved forest area is currently in dispute over ownership over the land. Sources said the park is currently home to a substantial number of “villagers.” However, whether or not these “villagers” within the enclosure are ‘true settlers’ or encroachers could not be confirmed. Additional sources observed that there must be at least several hundred encroachers in the park. An official confirmation of the number of illegal settlers could not be made at the time of filing of this news report. After the inspection which began in the morning, a report was set to be forwarded to the state government.
Peren’s Superintendent of Police Elias Lotha confirmed the team carrying out “survey activities” in the park as well as of the report forwarded to the government. The report is expected to be received today itself.
The SP confirmed heavy encroachment within Intangki National Park and held view that immediate intervention is the need of the hour before the reserved land is shorn of its status and essence. While informing that there are no proper houses in the forest to qualify as villages or townships, the police chief said the team identified about 30-40 hutments. He was also of the view that presence of the encroachers in the “paradise” is a challenge.
The report to the state government is informed to be carrying several recommendations which, Peren administration said, should be pursued on top-priority. The state government should intervene immediately to stop the park from becoming another encroachers’ waste, a district official cited one of the points.
At the time of filing this report, the state government is yet to receive the report. However, it is expected by today (Wednesday) as the government is I communication with the Peren administration over the entire investigations.
Nagaland Commissioner & Secretary TN Mannen, IAS, said he has yet to receive the report but said it is anticipated since the whole operation was carried out directly under the orders of the government. “It is a serious issue for which the government had directed the (team to assess the state of affairs)” he said. He said to receive the report first for any future course of action to be initiated from the state’s side.
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