Land, Rights, and Environment: The Eviction Controversy in Manipur
Image courtesy: nenow.in In recent years, the issue of eviction has become a contentious and highly charged topic in the state of Manipur, in Northeast India. The Manipur government has been facing public outcry and criticism over its eviction drive, which is aimed at clearing encroached land in various parts of the state. While the government argues that the drive is necessary to protect reserved and protected forests, there have been allegations of misuse of power and violations of human rights. The eviction drive in Manipur began in 2018, with the state government announcing its intention to clear encroached land in reserve and protected forests. The government argued that the encroachments were not only illegal but also a threat to the environment and wildlife. The government formed a task force to carry out the drive, and eviction notices were issued to thousands of families living in the targeted areas. However, the eviction