One-day consultative meeting held at Tribal Research Institute
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 05 2014 : The Hao Research Initiative has today organised one-day consultative meeting at Tribal Research Institute, Chingmeirong 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 published on June 17, 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.

In his Introductory Speeech, Jubilate Kazingmei, Programme/Executive Director, VVD Ukhrul made a strong statement that Tranditional 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 done without consulting the tribal people.

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

The next speaker, Dr..RSanga, Director, Imphal School of Preaching said that the said Goverment of Manipur have failed to consult the tribal people on Act and rules.

The tribal MLAs are also not doing what they are suppose to do.

Sanga said that Hill Areas Committee is not doing its duties in protecting the rights of the tribals.

Sanga said the said Act and Rules should be outrightly rejected as those Acts and Rules are not for the interests of the tribals.

The other speaker, Helien Lupho, Secretary, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Legal Committee said Governments have failed to consult the tribals on various issues including the above Act and Rules.

He said that the Hill Areas Committee and the Governor of Manipur have not reported these new policies to the President of India for proper implimentation.

Helien Lupho said that the Land Acquisition Act and Rules are not in the interests of the tribals for which tribals objects the Acts and Rules.

The Consultative Meeting was attended by the apex bodies and students' bodies of the tribals namely, 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 various leaders from differennt communities.

All the participants have expressed their reservation and outright rejection and objection to the Acts and Rules and New Land Use Policy and all have emphasised that triditional rights of the tribals on lands and natural resources should have absolute rights.

The MLR & LR Act of 1960 and Article 371C of the Constitution should be maintained and work towards their full implimentation.

The participants urged all the tribal coimmunities for unity and constant interaction on various tribal issues.

The Consultative Meeting resolved that All Tribal Coordination Committee Manipur to spearhead the movement for protection of the interests of the tribals.

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