Agartala, Jan 18, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk
Agartala/ Teliamura, Jan 18: Tension ran high at Montang Valley of Teliamura sub-division following a land related dispute on Thursday.
A large group of police personnel, forest guards and CRPF personnel reportedly faced a strong protest by over hundred local villagers. Even a woman was seen in the protest without clothes.
Security personnel in adequate numbers were deployed in and around Montang Valley to avoid any untoward incident.
Montang Valley emerged as one of the most preferred tourist destinations over the last couple of months. But the land where this spot is located has now turned into an issue.
According to the Forest department, five families of the area occupied the land illegally and are running their business in a wrong way. They are reportedly taking up to Rs. 25 from the visitors for a bottle of water (500 gm) and overcharging in case of vehicle parking. Besides, they are damaging forest resources.
As the matter came to the attention of the administration, SDFO Sabbir Kanti Das along with his team, police and CRPF personnel and the local DCM went to the spot on Thursday. When the Forest officer said that a plan is in the pipeline to utilize this location and make the local Janajati people Swanirbhar through JFM, there was an argument with the five families, who are presently managing the spot.
In between the argument, the five families along with other local people turned angry on the team. A section of the women reportedly ran naked during the protest.
On the other hand, the Forest team along with the CRPF personnel detained a timber smuggler from Montang. When the team was returning to Teliamura, there was another round of protest by over hundred people at Rangi Tilla of Chakmaghat. The detained person was, however, taken to the Forest office. But the protestors gheraoed SDFO and other Forest staff demanding immediate release of the detained person. The situation had turned volatile within minutes.
SDPO Teliamura Sudambika R. along with officer-in-charge of Teliamura and Mungiakami police station rushed to the spot but they failed to convince the agitators. Finally, when Himendra Kalai, wife of MDC Kamal Kalai, reached the spot and talked to the SDPO, the detained person was released. The Forest staff were freed after five hours.