TRIBALS ‘living’ in Assam forests can breathe a little more easily. Tarun Gogoi promised no eviction. He gave the assurance to a delegation of Jebra Ram Muchahary, president, Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, North-East Zone (ICITP-NEZ), Umesh Brahma, secretary, Assam State Committee, ICITP, Babul Boro, Coordinator, ICITP-NES, and Ram Dayal Munda, advisor, ICITP.

All these leaders are agitated over the Supreme Court order to evict the so-called illegal encroachers from forest lands. They submitted a memorandum saying that despite his assurance to safeguard the interest of the indigenous people, there is little development in that direction. They said that forcible eviction of indigenous people from their habitats in the forest areas was still going on. The memorandum stated that though there was some resettlement and regularization of “eligible encroachers” but to their knowledge most of them were doubtful citizens. “Though pattas are being given to the said doubtful citizens, particularly in the sar areas, for example in Dhubri, Barpeta and Sonitpur, the genuine indigenous people in the urban areas like Guwahati are being forcibly evicted,” the memorandum said. In his response, the Chief Minister let the delegation know that he has already instructed the officials concerned to stop forcible eviction and to ensure that the livelihood of indigenous people is taken care of. He denied the allegation of giving pattas to doubtful citizens. The delegation told Gogoi of a zonal conference on peace building and the role of the indigenous youths, planned to take place in the coming February in collaboration with the North East Council (NEC) where all the chief ministers and governors were expected to participate. About 10,000 delegates from the entire region will deliberate on problems of the youth and how their energy can be harnessed. It is likely that President Kalam will do the honour of setting the tone for the discussions. Ibobi warns timber smugglers, poachers MANIPUR Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has threatened stern action against any person found guilty of felling trees or killing wild animals in the State. Anybody who is caught and proved guilty of poaching rare species of animals like the Sangai deer and cutting trees would be firmly dealt with, the Chief Minister said while addressing a gathering on the occasion of the 54th Vanmahotsav. Expressing concern over the gradual degradation of the famous Loktak Lake, Mr Singh said every effort would be made to protect the lake and beautify it in the near future. Speaking on the occasion, Environment and Forest Minister C Doungel said degradation of the forest due to jhum cultivation was one of the primary reasons for water scarcity in the State. It had also resulted in the irregularity of rain and a warmer climate in Manipur, he maintained and appealed to the people to plant more trees to make the State a better place to live in.

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