Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has raised alarm over what he alleged as “large-scale” deforestation in the hill ranges under Kangpokpi district, while requesting concrete action to avert a possible environmental disaster.
Sharing a short video on social media on Wednesday night – which he claimed shows illicit poppy plantations and large-scale deforestation in the Kolten and Selsi hill ranges under T. Waichong Sub-division in Kangpokpi district—Singh claimed that the visuals describe the causes behind the recurrent floods in the state.“This video recorded today shows why recurrent floods have taken place in the state. The footage shows poppy plantation at Kolten and Selsi Hill Ranges of IT- Road under T. Waichong Sub-division in Kangpokpi District,” the former Chief Minister stated. “All our forests have been destroyed while we are trying to pull each other down. None of our leaders have spoken out against such wide-scale devastation,” he stated.
Singh further held the officers accountable for the alleged lack of action against the perpetrators of the alleged forest destruction. “Why officials of the Forest Department have not taken any action against the perpetrators? It is suspected that armed militants are involved in these illicit activities. Unless we take concrete action, the state will face an existential crisis,” he said. The former Chief Minister’s warning comes at a time when the state continues to grapple with ethnic tensions, displacement and governance challenges.
