Imphal, July 30 2010: The Ruling bench in the Manipur Legislative Assembly today took "note" of a private member resolution on framing of a legislation to allow all indigenous people of Manipur, irrespective of tribes and communities, to settle anywhere, whether hills or valley, but sort of shot it down observing that it should not be done in a hurry.

The private member resolution which says "The House resolves to make a suitable legislation to enable all indigenous people of both hill and valley to excercise the right to reside in any part of the terrirotry of Manipur" was moved by MPP MLAs O Joy, RK Anand, Dr Ng Bijoy and Dr I Ibohalbi on the concluding day of the monsoon session of the Assembly.

Leader of the House, Chief Minister O Ibobi, after listening to the statements of various members of both ruling and opposition, remarked that it was a very delicate issue though it was a very important matter of the people of both hills and valley to live together in mutual love and peace.

Although the Assembly could make amendmend to the existing law, it would be too much of a hurry to adopt the resolution now, the Chief Minister said adding that it would be right to take some time to properly study the clauses of the constitution and take necessary steps.

He appealed to the movers of the private member resolution to withdraw it for today.

MPP Legislature Wing leader O Joy said that they were not insisting that the matter be passed in a hurry, but if the ruling says that it would be done in the next session or a statement would be given after six months or so, they would withdraw the resolution.

Earlier, moving the resolution, O Joy said, Article of Indian Constitution provides that a citizen of India can purchase land and reside anywhere within India.

But in Manipur, except the scheduled tribes, no one can purchase land and reside in the hill areas.

Joy said, the area of the valley is just 2,000 sq kms out of the total area of 22,327 sq kms of Manipur.

People of all communities are settled in the valley area.

After purchasing land in the valley area and residing in it, if a tribal wants to sell it again to people of the valley, he needs permission from the DC.

If this trend continues for another 50 years, the people of the valley areas would become almost refugees, Joy observed.

He demanded a uniform legislation under which any indigenous person of Manipur from any part of the state may settle anywhere as he wishes.

Land of Manipur does not belong to a particular community.

If so many people keep on settling in the valley, what would be the situation after some years, MLA Joy asked and urged the House to pass the resolution.

RK Anand said, it would be right on part of the House to make a way for the posterity.

There's nothing to be too emotional about the matter.

It's only for the welfare of all communities.

If necessary, the constitution has to be amended, he said.

Dr Ng Bijoy observed that it was necessary to frame a legislation in this regard.

Dr I Ibohalbi observed that it was essential to amend the MLR-LR Act, 1960.This would pave the way for all communities of Manipur to live together even closer.The Act was meant to provide protection to the STs to get development.

But today all are developed equally, therefore the Act needs to be amended now, Dr Ibohalbi pointed out.

Taking part in the discussion, ruling MLA I Hemochandra observed that the issue had been kept in the cold storage for a long time.

People have been asking a lot of questions.

It was highly reasonable that the issue was brought up in the House.

Out of about 36 lakh population of Manipur, around 22 lakhs were settled in the valley.

It would not be fair to put restrictions on settling in the hill areas.

A uniform land law was needed, MLA Hemochandra asserted.

Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam said, the matter is for the welfare of all the people of Manipur.

The present day situation is a fall out of the colonial rule of the British.

Article 19 (e) guarantees the citizens of India the right to purchase land and settle anywhere in the country as he wants.

The Hill Area Committee of the Assembly is not absolute.

Is the hill area elastic rubber which can be stretched day by day, the NCP MLA asked adding that where should the mole hills be listed.

MLA N Mangi of CPI also said that a uniform land law suitable with the present times was needed in Manipur.

A law was needed to protect the indigenous people of Manipur equally.

The people of Manipur should be the owners of the land of the state, he said and praised the Opposition members for moving the resolution.

Power Minister, Phungzathang Tonsing said, there are six Meitei Leikais in Churachandpur.

There are also Meiteis settled in Kangpokpi and Chandel.

There is no such thing as they can not reside in these areas.

It was not an issue at all, the Minister said adding that it would be right to discuss the matter after consultations.

He asked the Opposition to withdraw the resolution.

At that point, MLA Joy rose and said that the Indian laws allow any Indian citizen to settle anywhere in the country.

But if no one is allowed to purchase land and live in the hills of Manipur, isn't it an issue, Joy asked and added that if Article 19 (e), Section (158) is not going to be respected, would the Speaker permit him to tear up the constitution, he asked.

Health Minister Ph Parijat observed that it was a matter of protection for the tribal people from rich men buying up land in the hill areas.

It would be pertinent for the government to handle the issue by gauging people's moods, Minister Parijat said.

Replying to the Members' points of views, Revenue, Law and Legislative Affairs, Minister Th Devendra said, it was a very important resolution.

Its main objective is there should not be a bar in the integrity of Manipur and that all should join hands to protect the territorial and social integrity of Manipur.

The MLR-LR Act, 1960 is a Central Act.

It could be amended by the state legislative assembly.

However, it should be done with proper care.

Survey of land in both hills and valley would be carried out under the supervision of Indian government, and it would be computerised.

It is not permissible to have Meitei, Kuki or Naga, etc.

in the land records.

Therefore, it was necessary to have a uniform land law, Minister Devendra observed.

Finally, on saying that the matter has been taken note of by the government, the movers withdrew the private member resolution.

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