(IN): Army no entry for Keibul foresters

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Army no entry for Keibul foresters13 Apr 2009, 2333 hrs IST, TNN

 

 

IMPHAL: The army has barred Manipur forest officials from entering the

Keibul Lamjao National Park. Forest staff wanted to go in to ascertain the

fate of Sangai, the rare brow-antlered deer, after a heavy gunfight at

Loktak lake and its surroundings areas, including the park.

 

Troops of the 73 Brigade assisted by police commandos launched a massive

counter insurgency operation in these areas in Manipur's Bishnupur district

from Sunday killing at least three rebels. One AK Rifle, one pistol with

bullets and two hand grenades were found on the slain militants, police told

the media on Monday.

 

A statement issued by army spokesman on Sunday night said the combined force

destroyed " large and well-constructed hideout " of the underground People's

Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) in the Loktak Lake on the

Nongmaikhong side and recovered automatic weapons, assorted ammunition, IEDs

and propaganda materials.

 

Sources said the rebels have made their hideouts on the " Phumdi " the

floating biomass on the lake. Sources also said some portion of the park

came under military operation.

 

Forest officials who are stationed at Keibul Lamjao, the only floating park

in the world and home to Sangai covering 40 sq km area, said they were not

allowed to enter the park. " Citing security reasons, we were not allowed to

enter the park even on Monday to ascertain any casualty on Sangai. We are

helpless, " lamented the forest officials on Monday. Chances of inflicting

casualty on the endangered animals are very low as the place where people

heard gunshots on the park's southeastern side are not accessed by Sangais.

 

The forest officials at the park have also submitted a written report on the

incident with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) S Singsit on

Monday. " It is their (Army) operational strategy to restrict our staff from

entering the park but we have our rights to save the endangered species. Our

employees are prepared to move inside the park as and when the army allows

to do so, " Singsit said.

 

Altogether 28 forest employees, including two rangers and watchers are

manning the Keibul Lamjao park. According to the 2003 census report, the

population of Sangai in the park was 180.

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