Encroachers evicted

OSR/Correspondent
IMP/KAK, Jun 10 : The State Government launched an eviction drive on Indo- Burma-Sugnu road from Kakching Lamkhai up to Kakching Chumnang, today.
According to sources, the drive was carried out in accordance with a notice issued by Kakching Deputy Commissioner Somorjit Salam on June 6.
Reportedly, no houses were dismantled during the exercise although some shops, fences and signboards which were construc- ted/erected on the edge of the road stretch inappropriately were pulled down.
The officials also removed piles of bricks, sand and gravels from the road stretch as the construction materials occupied public space and caused inconvenience to the people.
As per the sources, the Government will carry out a survey shortly and continue the drive to evict illegal encroachers and dismantle structures constructed on Government land, if any.
Kakching SDO Kherdananda Potsangbam, Assistant Survey and Settlement Officer H Ibohal Singh and Executive Engineer of Kakching Municipal Council  Naorem Ramchandra took part in the  eviction drive, among others.
The  State Government also evicted certain structures including shops near Lamphel DC complex which were constructed illegally.
The eviction drive was carried out under  protection of police. One of the officials said that similar drives will be carried out in other areas too.
Meanwhile, locals in Waithou areas staged a protest against the ultimatum served by the Forest Department to 69 people to dismantle their houses which were allegedly constructed at protected forest areas illegally by blocking Imphal-Moreh road.
The protest reportedly hindered traffic movement  along the highway stretch, but no untoward incidents have been reported so far.
It is reported that the Government had already served eviction notice to 48 households of the 69 while the remaining 21 are refusing to accept the notice.
Speaking to this correspondent, Divisional Forest Officer Th Lokendro said that the people who have  been classified as illegal pattadars must dismantle their structures by Saturday (5pm).
He said that the Government will take its course of action if the notice is not heeded. In a late report, it is reported that the Government officials have handed over the eviction notice to the remaining 21 households too.