Eviction drive in Lohit forests

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, March 11: In all 25 temporary camps and four dwelling huts, built in Tengpani and Mabhum  forest areas of Lohit district in Aruchal Pradesh by Chakma refugees were dismantled in a two-day eviction drive.

The eviction carried out by forest and administrative officials early this week, an official communiqué said here today. The Operation was led by msai DFO (divisiol forest officer) Rini Riba, Chongkham EAC (extra assistant commissioner) O Lego while SDPO K Padu led the police team.

Officials had received a tip-off that some Chakmas had set up residence within the reserved forests. While the team did locate 25 temporary camps and 4 dwelling huts, they were found to be deserted.

The officials quickly dismantled the residences and also cleared around five hectares of land occupied by the encroachers at different locations.

The team informed that its work was compounded by the fact that the encroached areas were highly iccessible due to bad roads.

Orders for regular patrolling in the area has been issued as a precautiory step, the communiqué added.