Land laws dissected, formation of expert panel mooted
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 09 2022: SR Institute of Manipur Studies organised a seminar on 'Uniform Land Law in Manipur for Equal Socio-Economic Development' at Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Keishampat, here, on Sunday and adopted several resolutions.

The resolutions included to exert pressure on the government for forming an expert committee to bring about socio economic development by critically analysing the existing land laws and in-depth study of customary laws of the tribal communities in the state under the mandate of the committee.

Speaking at the inaugural programme, Zeliangrong Union, Imphal Zone chairman Achung Phaomei opined that the failure to break the impasse and bring solution to lingering land issues is one of the reasons for lack of trust and bonhomie among the indigenous communities.

The bond of love as expressed through mere lip-service but absence of the same in reality is vividly seen in the society, he contended, while stressing the need to have a good relationship between the hill and the valley people.

While stating that there are enough historical evidences that the valley people descended from the hills, Achung expressed that in case efforts to unify the communities are not made through conduct such seminars or discourses at different places, there might come a time when the communities will forget that they are blood brothers and.act like some strangers.

He then called upon all concerned to strive for plugging the gap between the valley and plain settlers and said that creating awareness among the people about the common origin will be the only way forward.

In his address, Poknapham daily editor Aribam Robindro Sharma highlighted that BJP government led by CM N Biren had spoken about uniform law for the hills and plains at different public functions.

As civil society organisations too are also in favour of equal development and uniform laws organising such seminar by SR Institute is timely, he added.

Pointing out that hill dwellers face numerous inconveniences as MLR LR Act is not implemented in hill areas, he informed that hill people could not have their land patta due to it thus hindering them from availing numerous benefits.

Implementing the Act will not harm the hill people, he opined.

The first session of the seminar was presided over by Manipur Historical Society president Prof Naorem Joykumar and attended by Retd MCS Y Iboyaima.

During the session, research scholar Mutum Bikramjit spoke on 'Customary land laws of the Kabuis of Manipur (1891-1972 AD)' and Manipur High Court advocate Ch Momon Singh on "State land in hill districts under Hill Regulation Act 1947, Hill House Tax Act, ADC Bill and Hill Areas Committee Act" as resource persons.

In the second session moderated by Standard College, Kongba principal Dr L Basanti, Standard College associate Prof Akham Ibeyaima spoke on "State land in the hill districts of Manipur under Indian Forest Act and Scheduled Tribe and Forest Dwellers Act 2006' and Retd MCS Y Rajen on 'uniform land law in Manipur for equal socio economic development' as resource persons.

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