Memorandum to enlist Meetei/Meitei in ST list submitted to PM, HM, LS Speaker
Shiv Sena stresses need to make MLR and LR Act uniform
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11 2023:
The State unit of Shiv Sena has said that Manipur will head into an uncertain future if the 60 MLAs of Manipur don't work in unison to accord Scheduled Tribe (ST) tag to Meetei/Meitei and formulate a long term policy to end the drug menace.
The political party also stressed on the need to complete the fencing works at the Indo-Myanmar border to prevent smuggling of contraband and other illegal items.
Speaking to media persons at its office at Babupara today, president of Shiv Sena State unit M Tombi said that he along with representatives of Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) went to New Delhi recently and submitted a memorandum each to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla to add Meetei/Meitei in the ST list, formulate a uniform land law and complete the fencing work at the border areas as soon as possible.
He said that the memorandum was submitted to the Central leaders through Union Minister of State for External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan.
Saying that the land law implemented in Manipur is inadequate, M Tombi maintained that a major land dispute might erupt in future between hills and valley people if the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act 1960 is not made uniform as soon as possible.
"Allowing all indigenous communities to settle in the valley of Manipur and restricting the settlement of valley people to only valley areas might become a bone of contention among the indigenous communities in future," he opined.
He further said that Meetei/Meitei which has a history spanning over 2000 years must be categorised as Scheduled Tribe to protect the ethnic group.
M Tombi also expressed desire for the Government to give more strength to ILP guidelines.
The State Shiv Sena president reasoned that seizure of a large consignment of drugs from vehicles with Manipur registration number is an indication of Manipur becoming a drug manufacturing hub.
He nonetheless lauded Chief Minister N Biren Singh for his determination to make Manipur a drug free State.
While asking the Government to make sure public health is not compromised while legalising liquor, M Tombi also appealed to all individuals and organisations concerned to support the move of the Government to legalise liquor as it would be very difficult to completely stop alcohol consumption.