IMPHAL July 8: There was a special half an hour discussion during the Assembly session today, when MLA Y Irabot Singh raised a discussion on encroachment of land at the Langol Reserve Forest Area.
He explained the background of allotting 2.88 Hectares in the Langol Reserve Forest for rehabilitation of 110 households of Kabo Valley and Lamlongei after two cabinet discussions.
Another .956 Hectares were also allocated for relocating the TB and Leprosy hospital, he said.
The MLA sought the attention of the House to the new construction other than the said structures inside the Reserve Forest and asked the concern minister about the provisions under which this was permitted.
He further asked if the concern department has taken note of the new constructions and taken action accordingly.
The concern Minister Devendro simply answered that 28 houses have been demolished and denied any further knowledge about the owners and other details thus withdrawing in the pretext of ignorance.
MLA Irabot informed the House that 56 houses including a police outpost have encroached upon a huge area of land inside the Langol Reserve Forest and have even refused entry of Forest department officials into the area.
He sought the provisions under which such deployment was done and when no information was provided, he said `Stealing with the protection of men in uniform is unfortunate. Such concealing encroachment has created commotions and contradictions. However if there is no information with the concern Minister, the matter cannot be discussed further.`™
So the discussion on the vital issue ended abruptly.