Guwahati: Tensions remained high in Imphal East of Manipur after a fight broke out between the police and protesters during a campaign to evict local buildings in the Chingmerirong area.
A crew carrying out the eviction with the assistance of the police was met by locals opposed to the eviction after the eviction drive.
The Manipur High Court’s judgement requiring the removal of all structures from the designated land in Imphal East district prompted the authorities to begin the eviction effort.
Locals who were protesting said the region belonged to their forefathers and that the Manipur tax department had tampered with the land records. The eviction was prevented from happening despite the eviction team’s relentless efforts because of fierce opposition.
“We are protesting against the High Court ruling as there is a manipulation by the revenue department in giving land certificates. This area belongs to our forefathers and to the Chingmeirong people only since time immemorial,” said A Sharma, Chingmeirong Development Organisation president.
“We won’t accept someone showing up to claim the area. We will uphold our demands and make no concessions,” he added.
The protesters also blocked the main route in opposition to the eviction drive.