ZUF raises objection to Forest Act
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 24 2022:
The Central Executive Council of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has raised strong objections to the provisions of Act related with reserved and protected forest stating that these Acts contain provisions which infringe on the customary rights of Zeliangrong people.
A statement issued by its information and publicity secretary John Pame said that the recent media report regarding the official notification dated January 10, 1966 issued by forest branch of state secretariat and official notification dated September 21, 1966 in relation with Tairenpokpi-Tamenglong Protected Forest has raised several questions.
The notifications stated that the forest area men tioned in the scheduled area does not fall under reserved forest area but it is the property of the government and the government has proprietary rights over any products from the forest area.
A notification issued by the then chief commissioner declared the area as protected forest while adding that there will be no infringement on the rights of individuals or communities, who are already settled in the area.
The statement said that the notifications issued by the government are violation of the traditional rights of forest dwellers, who have been guarding the forest land as the owner way before, Manipur became a state.
Till date, no law had been passed to supersede the customary rights of the tribal community.
The Zeliangrong community's fight against foreign occupation (British) led by Haipou Za-donang and Rani Gaidinliu was not a fight for Manipur but to defend the rights of Zeliangrong community, the statement said.
Even after Manipur became part of the Indian Union, the tribal communities have been fighting to safeguard their land, resources and rights.
They will fight any attempt to take control of the forest land, the statement said, while urging the government to reconsider its stand over the relevant Acts and notifications issued in this regard.