ATRPFM, ATCFM give Govt two months time to address tribal issues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2019: The ATRPFM (All Tribal Rights Protection Forum, Manipur) and ATCFM (All Tribal Chief Forum, Manipur) have resolved to press the State Government to reallocate the recognition of new villages or bifurcation of village to Development of Scheduled Tribes Department and Hills from Revenue Department.

The resolution was taken during a one day consultative meeting of Tribal leaders organised by ATRPFM and ATCFM at Mini-conference hall, Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong, Imphal Saturday attended by around 80 tribal CSOs leaders and members of Autonomous District Council, youth & Student organisations, women organisations, social workers, academician, said a joint statement of ATRPFM & ATCFM.

Recognition of new villages or bifurcation of village was "illegally" allocated to the Revenue Department by an 'Office Memorandum (OM) dated 08-06-2008 issued by Principal Secretary (Revenue) under Para No 9 and 30 of the Business of the Government of Manipur (Allocation) Rules, 2009.' "The said OM is illegal on the ground that MLR & LR Act, 1960 is not extended in the hill areas of the State as per Section 1(2) of the said Act.

And Article 371C of the Indian Constitution, the Governor is to submit Annual Report prepared by the ST&SC and Hills Department to the President of India.

Further, HAC meeting dated 24.12.2009 resolved that recognition / creation of new villages in the hill areas is the legitimate right of the Hill Department.

Moreover, International Labour Convention under Article 107 reaffirmed the right of ownership, collectively or individually by the members of indigenous and tribal population concerned over the lands which have been traditionally occupied by them shall be recognized," said the joint statement signed by Tongpu Kipgen, president ATCFM and Joseph Rongmei, president ATRPFM.

It mentioned that an 'Expert Committee report for examining the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 and the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 Order No 16/3/2010-CHA dated 8/2/2013 has recommended for extension of direct funding to ADCs instead of grant-in-aid including revised of honorarium to Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Executive Members and ADC Members and also to make them eligible for service pension to them'.

"The inter-district boundaries i.e.doubling of villages in both the hills and valley district jurisdictions in the past census records be corrected immediately," read a resolution of the meeting.

"Many villages were found missing from the Census of 2011 and Socio-Economic & Caste Census which deprived them from availing welfare schemes.

Hence, it is resolved that all villages should be included in the coming 2021 Census as well as Socia-Economic & Caste Census which shall be strictly followed.

The enumerators who neglect or commit mistake shall be strictly dealt with and take action in accordance with law.

In the coming Census, the Government shall instruct all the concerned authorities to strictly adhere the related rules and regulations," said ATRPFM & ATCFM.

The resolutions taken also include demand for withdrawal or stay of eviction order of the tribal people under Forest Rights Acts, 2006."It is very contrast to Article 371(C) and Manipur (Hill Area) Village Authority Act, 1956," they claimed.

ATRPFM & ATCFM said that tribal people of the State would jointly take their 'own course of action' if State Govt fails to address the resolutions within two months.

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