Dimapur, May 26 (MExN): Seven “non-TPO members of Inavi-Hevuto village” today said that Intangki reserved forest should not be ‘prejudiced by the dictation’ of the Tenyimia People’s Organization (TPO).
Expressing discontentment, the “non-TPO members” stated in a representation addressed to the Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice, that if the TPO is concerned about the issue they are at the liberty to “implead themselves as a necessary party” to the ongoing WA pending in the High Court.
It stated that the claims made often by the TPO that the Intangki forestland belongs to them is far more serious issue, however, the Government of Nagaland has never commented on the issue at any point of time. And that the TPO has failed to substantiate their claims as they could not produce relevant records.
In the note, they claimed that Inavi-Hevuto village was established adjacent to Beisumpuikam village sometime in the year 1993-94 with the consent of the Government and in anticipation of formal approval from the Government. The entire area was barren land and was of no fruitful use to the forest because of intense logging by the Beisumpuikam villagers and as such, the Inavi/Hevuto village was allowed to settle d therein for a number of years.
The note stated that the Inavi/Hevuto villagers approached the state authority for due recognition and accordingly the administrative authority verified the village area and series of recommendation were made to the State authority. However, in due course of recognition various illegal eviction drives were carried out against the Inavi/Hevuto village by the Forest authorities at the instance of Beisumpui villagers in violation of the principles of natural justice.
“The ill motive behind the selective eviction drive was arbitrary and discriminatory in as much as not even a single eviction drive was carried out against the Beisumpuikam village who stands on the similar footing, which can be reflected in affidavit-in opposition filed by the secretary of Forest, Govt of Nagaland stating interalia that the “first major encroachment into the Intangki National park was done by the Beisumpuikam villagers,” they lamented in the note.
However, on the involvement and influence of certain politician the first encroachers i.e. Beisumpuikam village was given recognition by the Govt of Nagaland in between Monglamukh and Intangki river of Intangki forest vide No. GAB -11/1/90 dated 08.02.91. Although Inavi/Hevuto village submitted various representations to the State Government, however, till date nothing has been done so far, it stated.
They also questioned: “If first major encroachment in to the Intangki National Park was done by the Beisumpuikam village, than on what basis was the Beisumpuikam village recognized? If Beisumpuikam village which is inhibited by Manipuris and other tribes from Assam State, can be given recognition by the Government of Nagaland, then why can’t the landless Nagas of Nagaland inhabiting at Inavi/Hevuto village be recognized who stands at the same footing as Beisumpuikam village? Does the land at the Intangki forest belong to outside tribes of Manipur and Assam?”
They also blamed the governments that it has never physically surveyed and studied the ground realities and as it is the Beisumpuikam village taking advantage of their status has made huge additional encroachment into the Intangki forest, felling down trees and continuously clearing vast area of forest in an unabated process and more so, 5-6 initiated villages has been set up at Forest Camp No. 1-5, no action has been initiated against the new encroachers and only the Inavi/Hevuto village is often highlighted in the Assembly meeting which leaves them to ponder “why is the Government of Nagaland so intend to evict Inavi/Hevuto villagers? And why is the villagers of Inavi/Hevuto being treated as second class citizens?”
Inavi/Hevito villager allege govt agencies
Dimapur, May 26 (MExN): According to a press note issued by one Ikuto Zhimomi, on May 24 at around 12 noon, a team of five forest “depttd”, three police personnel and seven 9th RB personnel accompanied by Bieusumpuikam villagers entered Inavi/Hevito village stating that they were searching for the missing cow belonging to Bieusumpuikam village. The note stated that on the pretext of searching the missing cow the team entered the house of Ikuto Zhimomi and took away an un-serviced double barrel cartridge kept for repairing and the victim was also beaten up without any rhyme or reason.
Therefore, Ikuto Zhimomi in the press note questioned as from when has the government agency started to undertake the responsibility of searching the missing cow etc. of the Bieusumpuikam village. Zhimomi also alleged that “government agencies such as the police force, has been set up to protect and safeguard the public but on the contrary the police force has been used every now and then to harass the innocent villagers.”
Meanwhile, the note also urged the right thinking citizens to condemn such “act of atrocities of the police force and misuse of police force by the government.”
