69 illegally constructed houses were demolished in the forests of Manipur.

Imphal: 69 illegally constructed houses were demolished in the forests of Manipur. Authorities demolished at least 69 illegally constructed houses inside the Waithou Protected Reserve Forest in Manipur’s Thoubal district, officials said on Monday.

Senior officials from the district administration and the forest department were present when the houses were demolished on Sunday. Since the eviction, about 200 victims have taken refuge in a temporary relief camp set up by special people at Lilong Haoreibi College in the district.

The lease and allotment orders were canceled on June 9 by the Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal , officials said.

On June 10, Thoubal Divisional Forest Officer sent eviction notices to homeowners.

The state government Chief Minister N Baron Singh tweeted on Sunday that it has launched a campaign to take action against all encroachments in different parts of the state.
In early April, the Chief Minister directed the Forest Department to remove all illegal encroachments from the Wytho Protected Forest Area.
Officials said steps would be taken against illegal constructions in protected forest areas in phases.