Chakmas can be evicted: HC

Itanagar, Apr 02 (UNI) The Gauhati High Court in a landmark judgment has stated that Chakma refugees could be evicted from the reserve forest land illegally occupied by them in Diyun Reserve Forest under Arunachal's Changlang district.

According to official sources here today, the court observed that the Chakma settlers in their petitions have themselves mentioned about clearing of forest land among other things for their settlement and habitation, which was a clear admission on their part that they are unauthorized occupants of the forest land.

Disposing four cases in favour of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, the principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF), the Nampong forest division and the Changlang district deputy commissioner, the High Court, however, gave the petitioners the opportunity to have their say in response to the impugned notices.

If the petitioners respond to it within a month, the authority shall pass appropriate order regarding eviction of the unauthorized occupants of the reserved forest land sources informed adding, in case of absence of objection, the authorities will proceed with the matter in accordance with law.

UNI UPB BA RD 1202