DIMAPUR, Aug 3 � The Dimapur district administration, in a joint operation with the police and Forest department, demolished around 21 structures, including a church, and evicted about eight families who were �illegally� occupying land along the outer wall of the Nagaland Zoological Park here.
During the eviction, enforcement agencies not only demolished the structures but also set them on fire. However, there was no report of any untoward incident save for some initial resistance from the encroachers.
The eviction drive carried out yesterday in the presence of the chief wildlife warden T Lotha, SDO (Civil) Moa Sangtam and Niuland SDPO Mhonyamo, acoording to sources. Lotha said the eviction was warranted as the encroachers violated the interim court orders issued on April 24, 2012, and also the High Court�s order issued on June 11, 2012.
Lotha also expressed serious concern over the shrinking of the Rangapahar Reserve Forest from its original area of 8,809 hectares in 1925 to a mere 176 hectares at present.