IMPHAL, April 9: Taking strong exception to the rampant deforestation allegedly by Forest Department, Manipur Government in collusion with social worker Okram Henry at Lamlongei Villages Langol Reserved Forest Areas, a case was registered with the National Green Tribunal on December 17, 2014, said Lamlongei Yaipha Thouda Nupi Marup Secretary Thangjam Ongbi Ratna Devi.
Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club today, Ratna said that on December 24, 2014 the government respondents were summoned by the court in connection with the hearing of the case while adding that the hearing was conducted in the presence of Justice Swalanter Kumar and other jury members.
She stated that the court had asked to stop deforestation, construction and digging sands from the Lamlongei Areas until the third hearing which was done on February 16, 2015 but unfortunately the construction and other activities were not ceased following which Lamlongei Yaipha Thouda Nupi Marup filed a complaint to the NGT again.
The NGT had directed to completely stop the construction and other activities at the areas on January 21 2015, she added.
Lamenting that Manipur is a lawless land where influential persons could rein sidelining needs of the people; she said that the NGT on April 6 last had instructed to conduct re-demarcation of the areas again on April 13.
She appealed to the government to take note of adverse affects before taking up any developmental projects in the larger interest of the people.