Kuki chiefs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2012: More meetings and actions are coming up pertaining to elections to the village authority, tribal chiefs' rights, tribal land rights etc in Manipur.

The Kuki Chiefs' Association Manipur (KCAM) has announced today that an 'an emergency' meeting will be convened on November 3 to deliberate on the above mentioned issues.

The Kuki chiefs' body appealed to all the village chiefs of Manipur to participate in the event which will be held at B Vengnom Community Hall, Churachandpur district headquarters at 11:30 am.

According to the Kuki chiefs' body, future course of action will also be discussed on the day.

KCAM president D.Ngulkholun Haokip and its secretary Haokhai Lupheng said today that many issues related to the tribal people of Manipur will also be brought up in the meeting.

On Tuesday, a meeting of the tribal chiefs and leaders of tribal organisations had resolved to oppose the upcoming Village Authority Elections 2012 seeking amendments to the Manipur Hill Village Authority Act, 1956 before the elections are conducted.

The meeting initiated by All Tribal Chiefs Forum, Manipur (ATCF) and Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) was convened at Kuki-Inn, Imphal with the main agenda being the ensuing Village Authority Elections.

The tribal leaders were of the opinion that the existing Act is completely outdated and hence it requires amendment raising stiff opposition against the state Government's preparation for the election.

The Tuesday meeting had unanimously adopted five resolutions among which the decision to oppose the ensuing Village Authority election was prominently highlighted.

It was also resolved that amendments to the Village Authority Act, 1956 should be made in such a way that the cultural and traditional rights as well as land rights of the tribal are suitably protected.

The election should be conducted in each village as per the respective custom and traditions.

The meeting had also resolved that a sub-committee on Village Authority Act, 1956 comprising the presidents of all the tribal chief associations be formed and entrusted ATCF and COPTAM with the task.

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