The Parliamentary Committee on Land, Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism, has started probing the controversial eviction of pastoralists from Loliondo Game Controlled area early this year.

The committee under its chairman, Mr Job Ndugai, spent about two hours grilling members of the Arusha Regional Defence and Security Committee yesterday, as it kick off its investigations.

The eviction operation, which was carried out by members of the Field Force Unit (FFU), drew criticisms from activists, who alleged that the exercise was characterised by gross violation of human rights.

Those who attended the first meeting included Arusha regional commissioner Isdore Shirima. The committee started to question the regional security committee members at around 4pm and the meeting lasted until 6pm.

Later, the Parliamentary Committee met with the management of the Ortello Business Cooperation (OBC), which has leased the disputed area.

Mr Ndugai, who also serves as Kongwa MP (CCM), confirmed that his committee had started the work as directed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Samwel Sitta during the last parliamentary session.

However, he refused to divulge what transpired during the two-hour meeting. He could also not say anything on the committee's meeting with OBC management. Mr Ndugai said, after the meetings in Arusha, his committee was heading to Loliondo.

He said in Loliondo the committee would seek audience with leaders of various governmental and non-governmental organisations before visiting the area from which the pastoralists were evicted.

Speaker Sitta directed the committee during the 17th Parliament session to make a follow up on the issue following a private motion moved by Ngorongoro MP, Mr Saning'o Ole Telele. In his motion, the MP questioned the operation, alleging gross violation of human rights.