No recognition to villages less than 50 households: Letpao
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 17 2022: Tribal Affairs and Hills minister Letpao Haokip reminded all concerned that the government had already resolved not to grant recognition to villages with households less than 50.The minister made the declaration as chief guest of the 105th anniversary observance of The Kuki Rising (Anglo-Kuki War) 19-17-1919 and 2nd anniversary of the government's recognition given to the historical event held at Kuki Rising Park in C Aisan village under Saikul sub-division in Kangpokpi district on Monday.

Organised jointly by Kuki Inpi Saikhul and Kuki Students' Organisation, the observance was attended by Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangshing as president, and Singhat MLA Chinlunthang Manlun and Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip as guests of honour.

During the observance, minister Letpao said that details of Kuki freedom fighter Cheng-japao Doungel, who fought the British, are well inscribed in 'The Kuki Rising' in British Encyclopedia.

Though there have been many governments previously, it is the present government led by CM N Biren that gave recognition to the commemorative event and also assured of setting up a park for The Kuki Rising in Greater Imphal.

He lauded the government and the CM in particular for making the day a restricted holiday.

While pointing out that people of the state have been settling and constructing houses at any places they wanted in the past like a lawless land and without any specific regulation to recognise a village in accordance with the number of households, the minister made it clear that the government has resolved not to recognise village with less than 50 households.

A survey will be conducted to clearly identify such villages in hills and valley, he added.

On the issue of rejecting The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act by the tribals, he recommended for setting up of a surveyor under TA & Hills for surveying the land holdings.

Further pointing out that a person settling in Pallel area processes his/her land document in Kakching and there are instances that clearly show that they are not from Kakching but from Chandel, he said in order to address such confusion, there is the need for a team of surveyors in hills so as to clearly identify the valley and hill areas.

Moreover, such confusion and misunderstanding may even led to communal enmity, he opined, while mooting for a clear land holding system for securing the future of Manipur.

A hillock/hill will be sold within five minutes be it in the hills or the valley if Tata Company or Ratan Tata comes to buy it for setting up manufacturing units of tyres at Rs 10 crore, he maintained.

While stressing the need to strictly implement Inner Line Permit, he informed that every outsider coming into the state should give their details and the company they are working for along with the telephone number and place of work.

It is unfortunate that there is the list of outsiders who come to the state but not the details of those who left the state, he continued, while adding that telephone numbers of companies or landlords in which the outsiders work or live should be given.

If outsiders neglected it then they will be blacklisted and entry to Manipur restricted, the minister said.

Kuki Inpi Manipur president Khaimang Chongloi delivered a lecture on Kuki rising and narrated how Kuki leader Chengjapao Doungel led in fighting the British.

Though the state government had assured of setting up Kuki Rising Park in Greater Imphal, necessary initiatives for realising the same have not been seen so far, he contended and expressed hope that the government will allot land and set up the park.

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