ATRPFM to hold State level consultative meeting for Village Chief/ Headman/Chairman under Six Autonomous Districts of Manipur
Source: IT News

Imphal, June 14 2019: ATRPFM is convening a State level Village Chief under Six Autonomous District Manipur meeting on 17th June 2019 at Nagaram Community Hall, Opposite to Khuman Lampak, Imphal for discussion an issue pertaining to Creation of Districts, Sub-divisions, Tehsils, Villages Recognition and alteration of boundaries which are allocated to Revenue Dept Govt of Manipur.

A statement said that the Principal Secretary (Revenue), Government of Manipur issued an Office Memorandum (O.M.) dated 26.08.2008 vide No.16/2/MISC/2008-Com(Rev) where all matters relating to the creation of Districts, Sub-Divisions, Tehsils, Villages Recognition and alteration of boundaries are allocated to the Revenue Department in violation of Article 371C of the Constitution.

It was further mentioned in the said O.M.that any order issued under the provisions of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 in regard to recognition of hill villages be void ab-initio which is illegal, arbitrary, bias, unconstitutional and discriminatory against the Hill people.

All matters relating to recognition of villages in valley areas are to be deal by the Revenue Department but not the hill villages as the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960 are not extended to hill areas of the State.

The operation of the said Act is confined to valley areas only as per Section 2 of the Act, 1960.All matters relating to hill areas are to be deal with by the Hill Areas Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, and the Revenue Department has no jurisdiction at all.

The matter in question have been dealing with by the Tribal Affairs and Hills, Government of Manipur for all the past years but to the surprised of all, the Revenue Department issued the said impugned O.M.which is not sustainable in the eyes of law.

It is only a means to exploit and suppress the peaceful living of tribal people under their own governance.

That, the impugned O.M.has to be set aside and revoke in the interest of justice, failing which the tribal hill people would be deprived of their right to life and equality under Article 21 and 14 of the Constitution of India.

The tribal people have their own governance under their respective customary laws and their lands, which are absolutely, belong to them and Revenue Department shall have no right to interfere in recognition and creation of new villages in hill areas.

In this regard ATRPFM has sought justice from the Govt.by way of submitting a representation with a personal interview with the Hon'ble Governor of Manipur, TA&Hills Minister, HAC Chairman and its Members several times so as to revoke the impugned Order.

In spite of our repeated approached the State Govt.has fail to fulfil our demand.

he HAC said that all matters related to hills are within the purview of HAC.

As being a representative of the people it's your duty to revoke the order, despite keep on postponing the HAC meeting which Scheduled on 14 June 2019 just for political gain and vested interest is not a wish of Hill people.

The statement also expressed shock and surprise to hear from the "HAC Chairman's statement that HAC have nothing power, nothing to do with in this regard, it's useless and baseless" when we meet him personally at his quarter.

It said Such statement really hurts the interest of the Tribal people.

As being a people representative how he claimed such undemocratic statement, if he fails and reluctant to do his duty why not he resign voluntarily from HAC chairman? So such immature and selfish politician should be avoided marked in the future and appeal the public that such politician should be restrained and aware in the future, if he refuses to perform his duty and work for the people interest as people representative.

Again, taking advantage of the prevailing internal political conflict within the ruling coalition government, the HAC meeting which was scheduled on 14-06-2019 has been postponed indefinitely which clearly reveals the incapable and irresponsible representative who habitually attempts to escape his responsibilities and constitutional duties towards the Hills peoples.

Such immature statement given by the Chairman of HAC is shameful and unbecoming.

The callous and insensitive response of the HAC Chairman without application of mind and his willful denial to take up the relevant issue of the hills people and further delaying the HAC meeting has gravely hurts the sentiment of all the tribal.

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