TMB Report
Imphal: The Forest Department has arrested two suspects involved in causing forest wildfire that broke out in the northern part of
Ngariyan Hill under Nongmaiching Reserved Forest.
The two arrested persons have been identified as Nandeibam Tondon (45), son of N. Manglem and Thoudam Michael (38), son of Th. Shyam,
both residents of Keishampat Dhobi Machu Leirak in Imphal West. The duo has been handed over to Andro Police Station and a case has been registered against them, sources in the Forest Department said.
The source further said that upon receiving an information about forest wildfire in the area of Irilbung Block Compartment No. 27 under Ngariyan Beat Office, staff of Ngariyan Beat Office and Andro Police rushed to the spot and tried to douse the fire.
A team of Yairipok Fire Service and members of JFMC Andro also joined in the effort to douse the fire. The wildfire that broke out at around 5 PM could be doused at about 6 PM, thus further possible damage of the forest was averted.
Conservator of Forest RK Amarjit said that the forest staff could establish that the wild fire broke out due to cigarette smoking by certain drug users inside the reserved forest and arrested two persons found inside Ngariyan hill reserved forest.
He said that although the two individuals did not cause the wild fire deliberately, it was established that cigarette smoking and use of match box by the duo led to the fire.
The Forest officer while lauding the personnel of Andro Police, Yairipok Fire Service, Forest satff and JFMC Andro Members in dousing the forest fire said that such irresponsible activities of drug users lead to a huge loss of the State.
Notably, Central Forest Division DFO RK Amarjit had earlier issued an order banning picnicking, trekking and entry in Reserve forest without permission from the competent authority.
Chief Minister N Biren also earlier announced a cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh for any individual who can give information leading to forest
fire.
