Respect rights, privileges of tribal people, KNF(N) to Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, July 28 2021:
Non-SoO Kuki militant outfit, Kuki National Front (Nehlun) has urged the state government to respect the rights and privileges of the tribal people and immediately stop its plan to declare some portion of Kangpokpi district as Imphal West revenue district without the consent of the people.
The outfit's information and publicity secretary Gou alias Kuki stated that any plan or attempt to encroach on the tribal land illegally and forcefully is a complete violation of the rights and privileges guaranteed to the tribal under Article 371C of the Indian Constitution and also under Manipur Village Authorities Act, 1956.He said that KNF-N was established to safeguard and protect the Kuki ancestral land which was bequeathed to them by their forefathers before the formation of the union state of India and any act of the state government under the leadership of N Biren favouring a particular community while compromising the tribal land will not be tolerated at any cost.
Therefore, the state government must respect the rights and privileges of the tribal populace and avoid any sinister intention of illegally seizing and occupying the tribal land, asserted KNF-N, adding that the continuous attempts to seize and occupy the tribal lands illegally will eventually bring unprecedented animosity between the hills and the valley.
It also stated that the Asian Highway expansion along the National Highway- 2 under Kangpokpi district should be executed respecting the rightful landowner's rights while fair compensation and justice must be provided to all the affected victims.
KNF-N also urged the state government to abstain from the ill intention of imposing revenue Acts in the hill areas which can breach peace and tranquillity amongst different communities in the state.
It further warned the state government that the organisation will not remain a mere spectator to infringement on the tribal rights in geneal and Kukiland in particular.