'Rival's claims invalid'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 03 2015:
The position of khullakpa in the villages of the hills is not meant for accumulation of personal wealth but was established for the protec-tion and develop-ment of the villages, stated khul-lakpa of Lamdan Kabui village Maringmei Acham.
Talking to media persons at a press meet at Manipur Press Club Acham claimed that he formally became the khullakpa of Lamdan Kabui village on January 24, 2015 through a notification of the Manipur government and in abidance with customary laws.
He added that his father, M Thaitoungam, served as the khullakpa of the village from 1972 to August 8, 2013 .
He stated that due to the existence of customary laws which forbids a widower from functioning as the khullakpa, the position was passed on to him from his father after the death of her mother.
In addition, a congrega-tion of the clan was subsequently held where his appointment as the khullakpa was confirmed.
Under the circumstances, the claim made by M Khuripou who hails from Aimol Khul staking his right as Khullakpa of the village and bringing a group of people residing in villages near Loktak Project was very unfortunate, he stated.
He termed the aggression shown by Khuripou as a violation of customary practices.
Dismissing the eligibility of his rival, Acham said the claimants of khullakpa are required to erect a customary pillar at the village gate.
His father and forefathers had performed the traditions and thus became qualified to occupy the post.
On the other hand, he charged Khuripou of forcefully occupying the khullakpa post for around one and half years without complying with the prescribed customary norms of erecting the pillar.
He further explained that the residents from Loktak Project areas had fled during violence in the past but names were retained in the village voters list on sympathetic grounds.
During his incumbency as the village head, Khoripou indulged in mass logging for his profit, disconnection of power supply to 13 houses, misappropriation of MGNREGA wages of the villagers and destructive activities, he alleged.