Saikot assembly constituency MLA Paolienlal Haokip has intervened against the show-cause notice served by Divisional Forest Office, Churachandpur district on April 26 over encroachment within Dampi reserved forest.
The MLA, in his letter to the Divisional Forest Officer, said that the matter relates to the administration of the hill areas and needs to be deliberated in the Hill Areas Committee before any decision is taken.
He further said that some of the settlement villages within the reserved forest area predate the notification of the Dampi Reserved Forest in 1951.
The MLA also told the office to hold all further action in the matter before the Hill Areas Committee considers the issue and places its opinion before the cabinet.
He maintained that any action taken prior to the above would be in contravention of constitutional provisions relating to administration of the hill areas.