BJP govt abused power while eviction: Manipur Cong

Opposition Congress on Sunday accused the BJP government in Manipur for abusing power while evicting encroachers at a reserved forest areas in Thoubal district that rendered homeless to 69 families.
On last Sunday, as many as 69 ‘illegal’ houses constructed within Waithou Protected Reserved Forest of Thoubal district were demolished.
“The government gave only 24 hours to the encroachers. Can a family be shifted within such a short period? It is an abuse of power in hand,” MPCC president K Meghachandra said. A team of MPCC led by Meghachandra paid a visit to the victims of the eviction who were rendered homeless and taking shelter at relief camps opened by local youth clubs and NGOs.
Even as some of the homeless families were taking shelters in the houses of their close relatives, most of the families are currently staying at relief camps.
The MPCC team provided relief materials –foodgrains, daily needed items, water storage tanks, etc. to the families at the relief camps as a part of celebration of 52nd birthday of AICC leader Rahul Gandhi.
Talking to reporters, the MPCC president sought befitting action against officials of the state government behind the issue of pattas to the reserved forest areas.
“Suspension from their services is not enough. Exemplary legal action should be taken up against them,” he demanded, alleging that the people were becoming victims of their corrupt practices. The MPCC president further demanded adequate compensation to the affected families to rehabilitate.
Even if they were illegal occupants, enough time to vacate the place should be given. The government’s inhuman act has rendered them homeless. They should be provided adequate compensation from the government side, he demanded.
During the visit to the relief camp at Lilong Haoreibi College at Lilong, the MPCC team provided food and other daily essentials besides water storage tanks.
The MPCC team also visited other relief camps set up at Waithou and heard their grievances.
Later, the MPCC president expressed strong dissatisfaction when he was told that no relief material was provided from the government side to them till date.
Stop pouring sympathy only on media and social media. Show physical sympathy by providing relief materials to the victims, the MPCC president said.