Tousem Area Students Organisation (TASO) has strongly condemned the government's notification for a joint survey of Kaiphundai Reserve Forest extension.
The Tamenglong district administration issued a notification dated January 23, 2023 for a joint land survey of Kaiphundai Reserve Forest extension headed by the divisional forest officer (DFO), Jiribam and the sub divisional office staff of Tousem.
Strongly condemning the survey notification in a release issued on Thursday (February 2), TASO members and supporters burnt tyres at several places in Tousem area and warned of intense agitation, including indefinite bandh, if the government failed to heed the voice of the people.
TASO also warned the government not to involve Jiribam forest department, stating that Kaiphundai village is under the jurisdiction of Tousem Sub Division of Tamenglong district.
"Hence any survey of the Government officials must take the consent of the local people, the village authority, and civil organizations. Such a survey is designed to intrude and grab the land of the tribal community. Hence encroachers will not be tolerated," TASO stated.
TASO cautioned against conducting the survey without prior consultation with the indigenous people and urged the government to withdraw its notification.
Tousem people will not take any responsibility if any untoward incident occurs. The DFO, Jiribam and the Forest Department Manipur will be held responsible, TASO statement added.
