Federation of Haomee denounces Manipur People Bill 2018
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 28 2018: Federation of Haomee has strongly voiced its stand against certain provisions in the Manipur People Bill- 2018 which the federation claims is allowing sale of land to non-Manipuris.

The Bill which allows non-Manipuris to buy land is against the very interest of the indigenous people who wishes to save their identity, said the federation in a statement today issued by its secretary general, Yazing Vicisy.

The federation further denounced the alleged mention of the phrases - "any Kuki" and "any Mizo" in the provisions of the Bill and asked if all Nagas and Kukis elsewhere who do not belong to Manipur are going to be considered as indigenous people of the State.

It asked, whether Mizos of Mizoram are going to be considered as indigenous people/ tribe of the State.

It questioned the validity of including the "Anagami and Sema in the ST list" (in the Bill) and asked if Manipur has any of the Angami and Sema.

The federation also denounced the inclusion of "Dhupi, Muchi, Ravidas, Patni, Sutradhar, Namasudra" in the schedule caste list in the said Bill.

Questioning the alleged inclusion of the said tribes, the federation sought the attention of the concerned that Nagaland and Mizoram have never inserted new tribes or enlarge the numbers of tribe.

The Federation of Haomee further questioned why business, employment, political, land policy and education sectors are allegedly left out from the purview of the Bill.

The Federation of Haomee alleged that the Bill is for the benefit of the outsiders and said that the Bill lacks 'clarity' and 'does not define definitively who are the indigenous people of the State' .

"What is the purpose of the Bill, if it can't or does not even define or give name who are the indigenous people?" asked the federation.

Calling for a stronger Bill that can protect and ease the indigenous people of the State, the federation said it rejects the Bill and demanded a strict Inner Line Permit System.

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