Diphu, Nov.28 (EMN): In continuation of Monday’s eviction drive that was carried out in Raikom Aklam and Hiteswar Tulsiary villages under Doldali Reserve Forest of West Division in Karbi Anglong it continued the drive even on Tuesday.
SP, Karbi Anglong Dr. GV Siva Prasad; Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Abhijit Rabha; DFO, West Division Jogonath Rongpi and DFO, East Division Joysing Bey and Rangers of different Forest Ranges took the lead in the eviction drive.
The Assam police and 20 Bn. CRPF personnel and Forest staff were also engaged in the eviction. During the eviction three excavators were used in demolishing houses. As told by the Ranger of Eastern Rongapahar Range D. Rangke Rongpi that 463 houses were destroyed and out this 306 houses from Hiteswar Tulsiary village and 157 houses from Raikom Aklam.
Rongpi also said that it is a vast area and encroachers have cleared large area of the forest land and have built houses. Though the drive is almost complete, some areas were left out due to vastness of the area. The Jarunala areas have been left out due to time constrains and will be carried out in the next phase.
Inside the Doldali forest, people have settled permanently like in Raikom Akam and Hiteswar Tulsiary villages. Schools were also already set-up inside the forest land. On esuch school, Amity Residential School at Raikom Aklam was exempted from the drive on request by the school authority and parents with to allow children to complete their annual examination till December .
The school authority has told the forest officials that they would free the building and move out after the examinations are over.
DFO, West Division Jaganath Rongpi said the two days eviction drive was a ‘massive drive’ aided by the district administration, Assam police and para-military personnel.
The day’s eviction drive was peaceful with no untoward incidences. Those areas which are left out, the department will take initiatives on another day for carrying out the eviction, DFO Rongpi said.
