Notifications sans HAC nod null & void: KSO
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, November 04 2022:
In connection with the reported encompassing of peripheral areas of Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts and the inclusion of five reserved forests from Kangpokpi to Imphal East district by the department concerned, Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) General Headquarters has reiterated that any sort of notifications related to hill areas issued without the consent of Manipur Legislative Assembly's Hill Areas Committee (HAC) will be taken as null and void.
The students' body maintained that under Article 371(C) of the Constitution of India, HAC and District Councils are empowered for.
the administration of the hill areas in the state of Manipur.
Accordingly, without the consent of HAC, all sorts of notifications are 'null and void' and therefore unacceptable under any circumstances whatsoever, it asserted.
KSO also stated that by any means, HAC cannot be bypassed in all hill area-related issues by the state government.
Therefore, notifications issued at the level of deputy commissioner or sub deputy officer, or divisional forest officer would not be acceptable and termed as illegal, it said.
The Kuki apex student body further appealed to HAC to be proactive in its administration and take up necessary action without delay.