Meet on tribal land rights held
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 05 2014 : The Hao Research Initiative (THRI) organized a one-day Consultative Meeting on Traditional Rights of the Tribals on Lands and Natural Resources vis-a-vis Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and the Subsequent Rules issued by Revenue Department, Government of Manipur on 17th June, 2014 in the Gazette of Manipur, New Land Use Policy of Manipur, 2014 and other issues in the Context of Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960 and Article 371C of the Constitution of India at Tribal Research Centre, Chingmeirong here today.

In his introductory speech, Jubilate Kazingmei, Programme/Executive Director, VVD Ukhrul, stated that the Traditional Rights of the tribals on Lands and Natural Resources have been protected in the Indian Constitution since the British Act such as 1935 Act till today.

He said that the present Land Acquisition Act and Rules, New Land Use Policy of Manipur, 2014 and other policies contravene the Constitutional protection of tribal rights on lands and natural resources.

Most of the policies are taken up without consulting the tribal people.

Even Indian Forest Act, 1927 does not apply in the tribal areas and as such Village Development Committee formed by the Manipur Government is violative of the tribal rights on lands and natural resources, he asserted.

Dr..RSanga, Director, Imphal School of Preaching, charged that the Government of Manipur did not consult the tribal people before passing such Acts and rules tribal MLAs are not doing what they are supposed to do.

Alleging that Hill Areas Committee (HAC) is not doing its duties towards protecting the rights of the tribals, Sanga demanded that the Acts and Rules be outrightly rejected as they are not in the interests of the tribals.

Helien Lupho, Secretary of Kuki Inpi Manipur, Legal Committee said Governments have failed to consult the tribals on various issues, and HAC and the Governor of Manipur have not reported these new policies to the President of India for proper implementation.

The Consultative Meeting was also attended by the representatives of apex bodies and students' bodies of various tribes including Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur, United Naga Council Manipur, Hmar Inpui, All Tribal Chief's Forum Manipur, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur, Manipur University Tribal Students' Union, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Tribal Students' Union, Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Imphal, and former Ministers and leaders belonging to different communities.

Comment