(IN): Naga park faces NSCN-IM challenge

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070919/asp/northeast/story_8331229.asp

 

Naga park faces NSCN-IM challenge

OUR CORRESPONDENT

 

*Kohima, Sept. 18: *Already plagued by encroachers, the Intanki National

Park authorities now face the challenge of dealing with National Socialist

Council of Nagalim cadres.

 

The forest department is unable to evict poachers from the park as the NSCN

(I-M) camp is located inside Monglunmukh forest colony.

 

Forest and environment minister Kheto Sumi said in the Assembly today the

encroachment into the park started as early as in 1983-84. But heavy

encroachment began only in 1992. The forest department has so far carried

out five major evictions from 1989 to 2002.

 

Beisumpuikum villagers had approached the state government with a proposal

to exchange their village land with a part of the park. Sumi said that in

1995 the cabinet approved the exchange of land in principle. However, even

though the exchange of land is yet to be finalised, Beisu-mpuikum villagers

moved into the periphery of the park, leading to further encroachment. In

2002, a group of encroachers who tried to settle inside the park were

evicted. However, in 2006, a new group encroached the park and they are yet

to be evicted, the minister told the Assembly.

 

Sumi said a total of 1,905 hectares has been encroached till date.

Altogether, 416 huts were found when deputy commissioner and Peren

superintendent of police verified the spot on July 19.

 

Most of the encroachers are from the Zeliangrong, Sumi, Yimchunger, Phom,

Chakhesang, Lotha, Sangtam, Ao and Konyak Naga tribes

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