DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (MExN): The impasse between the District Administration of Peren and timber contractors on the recent logging imbroglio in the district was today brought to an amicable understanding with the intervention of Chairman, DAN, TR Zeliang.
A press note informed that the “standoff receded” today after a discussion at DC Complex, Peren New HQ coinciding with the meeting of the District Planning & Development Board (DB&DB), attended by District HoDs, Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliang Kuki Public Organisation, Peren District Timber Union, NGOs and public leaders.
Speaking at the tripartite meeting between civil societies, timber contractors and the DP&DB, the DAN Chairman and Adviser Finance, who is also the Chairman of DP&DB, Peren said, “Compromise is possible only when we create the space to understand each other” while maintaining that “genuine grievances of the public” must be taken into consideration in all circumstances.
He further stated that “green coverage is being reduced because of rampant logging whereas our target must be on maintaining ecological balance, allowing people to live with sufficient water and fresh air for a healthy life.”
While calling upon the District Forest Department to put more efforts in tackling illegal trade of timber passing through Peren district, Zeliang asked the Forest Department to “identify illegal timber coming from Manipur, Assam and Intangki National Park via Peren District.”
Though every year, a 6 month period is opened for vehicles carrying timber to ply across Peren district, Zeliang regretted that the contractors “could not make use of the allotted time period and had instead opted for confrontation with the authorities and the public.” While stating that the government understood the hardships faced by the timber contractors from an “economic point of view” due to the recent bandh, he maintained that one had to however “compare individual problems with public problems” in such situations.
Following the DAN Chairman’s intervention, the time period for plying stranded timber was extended till May 31 under the condition that the timber contractors would commence immediate repair of roads. Around 45 trucks at Athibung-Khelma area and 8 at Peren-Mpai area, reported to be stranded due to the bandh, were today allowed to pass, following the assurance of timber contractors to start repairing the road within 7 days time under the direct supervision of PWD (R&B).
On the failure of timber contractors to keep their words and commence road repairing after extension of the deadline, a special DP&DB Meeting would be specifically convened to initiate action even before the normal date of the DP&DB monthly schedule.
It may be noted that the Nagaland Timber Traders Union (NTTU) had called for an indefinite blockade on movement of vehicles in Peren District commencing Monday, May 8 if the authorities failed to revoke the January 11 notification, which had prohibited movements of trucks carrying timber in Peren District after April 30.
