Project for developing international township at Haolenphai ; TSA-Ghqs registers objection
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09 2016: The Thadou Students' Association, General Headquarters (TSA-Ghqs) has submitted a memorandum to the State and Centre Govt registering its objection to the 'submission of willingness' to proceed with Government project for developing International Border Township at Haolenphai.

TSA submitted a memo to O Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur on February 6 and also to Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister as well as Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Government of India on February 8 .

The highly orchestrated submission signed by Jangmang Haokip, president of Hill Tribal Council, Moreh, Jamkholen Mate, president of Kuki Chief Association, Moreh and two unauthorized representatives namely Dr Gary T Haokip and S Haopao Haokip dated Jan 15 was addressed to Manipur Chief Minister.

The spot for the signature of Chief of Haolenphai was kept blank, a statement issued by the TSA said.

In the memo, the TSA demanded the Government of Manipur to provide detailed information on the project and the process of land acquisition and whether all guidelines and rules of tribal land acquisition have been complied with.

TSA demanded that the 'submission of willingness' be disregarded as the signatories, as also stated by the signatories themselves in their press release dated January 25, have no authority over the land and therefore their signatures bear no validity or legitimacy.

It further urged the Government of India to probe and take up stern action into the nexus between the Government of Manipur and a SoO signatory group in relation to the 'submission of willingness' against the wishes and interests of the tribal community in the area.

The TSA demanded that the Government of Manipur tender a clarification on the apparent nexus or connections it has with the SoO signatory group and that the Government of India, on the basis of the confession of the four signatories in their press release, immediately takes up stern action against the SoO signatory group for engaging in unlawful activities of deception and intimidating or forcing, or coercing members of the community into entering a deal or unduly interfering in the affairs of individuals, organizations or the general public in blatant violation of the ground rules of SoO agreement.

It further demanded that a high level inquiry, by CBI, be initiated into the alleged case of deception, theft, intimidation, or coercion or duress for obtaining signatures in the 'submission of willingness' and also into the highly suspected (Haolenphai) land scam believed to be involving Government of Manipur or its Ministers, insurgent groups and some other vested interests from within and outside the community, and that all the culprits be brought to justice according to the law of the land.

It urged that any document indicating the land owners as consenting to allot tribal land in and around Haolenphai village for a township project or any other project be treated as fake, illegitimate and null and void as their signatures have allegedly been obtained under duress or intimidation or deception, or may have been forged.

TSA-GHQ reiterated its position and that of the community saying they neither want nor need a city or a new township in and around Haolenphai.

Even an inch of the land will not be negotiated for any reason unless it will absolutely benefit the community without a compromise on their land and resource ownership and culture, given that this is a non-negotiable issue and against their culture and traditional land laws.

Any attempt or process to transfer ownership of tribal land at Haolenphai village to the Government or any other party under the guise of any kind of development project will be steadfastly withstood.

It warned of launching intense agitation unless the demands are met positively.

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