Imphal, January 17: Zeliangrong Students� Union, Manipur (ZSUM) has urged State Govt for taking up remedial measures against shortage of staff in Tamenglong Forest Division and alleged denial of tribal rights.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today, the students� body categorically stated that it would not remain mute spectator to deprivation of tribal rights.

The memorandum pointed out that the Temenglong Forest Division of Forest and Environment Department has been running with a skeleton staff for long.

At present there are only 18 staff as against the actual required number of 60.There is no Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to monitor the forest management and the subordinate staffs are facing lot of problems in administration.

In view of this it is immediately required that the total strength of 60 staff be posted in the Forest Division, the memorandum demanded.

With regard to the menace of bamboo flowering phenomenon in the district since 1998, the memorandum alleged that the Government has not yet taken up any appropriate measures to protect the area from decaying of Melocanna Baccifera, Dendrocalamus Hamiltonii and large scale destruction of agricultural crops in the year 2003 and famine like situation despite having declared the problem as a natural calamity.

The Govt of India had sought details of the expenditure incurred on relief measures and also about the multi-disciplinary task force both in the State and district level, but the same has not been forwarded till date, the memorandum lamented.

Reacting to amalgamation of Tousem Range of Tamenglong Forest Division with a distant district area of Jiribam under Imphal East District since 1997, the memorandum termed it as very unnatural and unthoughtful on the part of the Forests Department.

The Tousem Range should be now reinstated and re-amalgamated with Tamenglong Forest Division so as to provide convenience in forest management and administration, the memorandum demanded.

The students� body also objected to introduction of Mahal system in the district without the consent of the affected people.

There is no proper safeguard to protect the interest of the poor tribal communities.

Comment