Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, has stated that protecting forests is the sole responsibility of the state government. The forest land has always been under the ownership of the state government and the protection of reserve and protected forest lands is their sole responsibility. Yadav’s statement comes amid protests by tribal groups against the state government’s eviction drive from reserve forest areas.
Churachandpur district in Manipur witnessed a series of violent incidents, including arson and vandalization of government properties, since Thursday night. In response, the district administration imposed an indefinite night curfew from 5 pm to 5 am, which would continue until further notice. Business establishments and markets reopened on Sunday while vehicles plied as usual in Churachandpur town and other parts of the hilly district.
The Director General of Manipur Police and senior officials visited the district on Saturday to review the situation. Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh canceled his visit to the district on Friday following the protests. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum had called for an eight-hour shutdown in the Churachandpur district on Friday to protest the eviction drive. In March, five people were injured during protests in three districts, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal, against the state government.