Meet seeks hill State status
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 10 2013:
A public discussion programme held today at MDU Hall here sought declaration of Manipur as a hill State and enforcement of uniform laws all over the State.
The programme was jointly organised by the International Meitei Forum (IMF) and the Yaiskul Volunteer Organisation (YVO) .
After discussing threadbare all the issues such as demand for separate States by Nagas and Kukis, lack of trust among different communities, overlapping of projected territories between Nagas and Kukis, extensive settlement of foreigners in hill areas, prohibition on settlement of Meiteis and Pangals in hill areas whereas tribes are allowed to settle in the valley, many speakers opined that Manipur as a whole should be declared as a hill State within which uniform laws and rules should be applied throughout its territory.
The public discussion later resolved that Manipur should be declared as a hill State.
The second resolution was that UNC should be held accountable for the murder of Laishram Ibohanbi during the general strike it called from December 26 to 29 and UNC should apologise for the same.
Tribal people settled in the valley districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal East and Imphal West should work to neutralise all the efforts aimed at disintegrating Manipur.
The fourth resolution was that a memorandum highlighting the first three resolutions would be submitted to the Government of India together with constitution of a delegation to push for the same demands.
Speaking at the meeting IMF president RK Rajendra said that the Government of India has been emboldened by the silent and meek posture adopted by the Meiteis towards its divide and rule policy.
If the Meiteis continue to live in such passive state, it would not be long before Meiteis lose their own identity.
Manipur's territory in the past was 20 times bigger than the existing territory.
Moreover, Manipur is now languishing in a state of chaos and disorder.
Of the total area of Manipur, hilly terrains constitute 93 per cent while the remaining 7 per cent is valley.
Within this small valley, people of all communities have been living together.
The existing law is such that tribal people from the hills can make their settlement in the valleys, but Meiteis and Pangals cannot make their settlements in the vast hill areas.
This discriminatory law should be amended or scrapped.
A uniform law should be applied throughout the State, Rajendra said.
Aribam Brajakumar, L Lokendro and resource persons too spoke at the discussion programme.