IMPHAL, October 8: A Forest beat and a divisional office of the Northern Forest Division, Senapati District both have remained closed since September 28 following threats from Suspension of Operation signatory, Kuki National Front, KNF.
Reliable source informed that the KNF has demanded from the concern authorities of the two offices to either submit their 10 years progress report or to cough up Rs One lakh each as penalty following which the offices have been closed.
Receiving information about the closure of the two offices, a media team went to the said beat and office and found both with locked gates. None of the employees of both the places could also be seen around.
The development has come a day after alleged cadres of another SoO signatory Zoumi Revolutionary Army had went on a firing spree from their guns at a Langol residence and injuring two residents yesterday. One of the alleged cadres was nabbed by locals while trying to escape after the incident.
The two forest offices are Koubru forest beat office located at Sapermeina and the Range Forest Office, Motbung.
A highly reliable source said forest officials had already submitted written complainted to the concerned police station regarding the threat about some days back following which security was provided on October 5 at the two offices. After the provision of the security personnel, the offices were opened again on October 5.
Notwithstanding the presence of security personnel at the office premises, two KNF cadres entered the Koubru Forest beat on October 6 and threatened the employees to shut down the premise until they are able to fulfil the demands.
The source also informed that when the concern police station was informed about the new developments and demanded more security reinforcement, the police assured security only upto 5pm daily.
The police said however, it cannot assure security after 5pm, the source added.
The source also informed that illegal forest items are transported along the highway only after dark.
Meanwhile, the main concern at the moment is that due to the closure of the two offices, there is no authority to check the transportation of illegal items along the route.