ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Nov 24: The Arunachal Primitive Forest Dwellers Forum (APFDF) has demanded the state government to revoke the notification issued by the Department of Power and cancel the no objection certificate (NOC) issued by the Pakke Kessang District Deputy Commissioner regarding the clearance of the forest area for the 132 KV transmission line.
Addressing the media at the press club here today, APFDF Chairman Techi Hemu said that the recent notification issued by the Department of Power, announcing a special ex gratia relief package towards the Right of Way for 132 KV transmission line passing through the reserved forest under Pakke Kessang district, is not only de-recognizing the villagers but also denying their tribal land compensation rights.  
“Though the transmission line passes through the reserved forest, the land has always been of the villagers settled since before the independence of India. Therefore, the indigenous tribal rights of the villagers can’t be denied by the state or the central government,” Hemu said while addressing the media at the press club here today.
He said that according to the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, the dwellers of the area have the right to occupation and habitation in the forest area. Moreover, the term ‘ex gratia’ used by the Department of Power is not acceptable and should be changed. The villagers have the right to compensation and not ex gratia, he said.
Hemu said that the concerned Forest Department, District administration, and Department of Power should acquire the land through negotiations with the landowners and not opt for illegal procedures. The dwellers of the area under the forest area have the right to compensation.
He also claimed that the user agency (Transmission department) has paid a huge amount of Rs. 75 Cr to the forest department, wildlife, and the Pakke Tiger Conservation Foundation as compensation for the clearance of the forest.
“Now, when the villagers are being paid in terms of ex-gratia, few departments and NGOs are availing huge amounts of compensation in the name of forest clearance. This clearly indicates an illegal approach to the misuse of money. Therefore, the state government should act on our demand or face legal action,” he said.
Earlier, the Department of Power issued a notification, announcing a special ex gratia relief package towards the right of way for 132 KV transmission line passing through reserved forest under the comprehensive scheme for strengthening the transmission and distribution system in Arunachal Pradesh, 2023.
And, one of the transmission lines under the comprehensive scheme is passing through the Pakke Kessang district.
Hemu also informed that the forum conducted a mass meeting earlier with the affected people of the area wherein a unanimous decision was taken for the welfare of the public.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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