Landless indigenous people, Ekta Parishad Manipur demand Pattas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 17 2019: The homeless or landless indigenous people of the State along with Ekta Parishad Manipur have warned to file a petition against the State Government if they are not provided with land documents or proper faciliti es to settle at the earliest.

Addressing media persons at a press meet organised by Homeless/Landless Committee of Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur district along with Ekta Parishad Manipur at Manipur Press Club today, Project coordinator of Ekta Parishad's land issue, Haobijam Surjit claimed that numerous indigenous people, who have resided at the State for more than 40-50 years, do nothave land Patta till date.

He further maintained that 70 percent of the total valley population, as per the socioeconomic caste census report of the Government, are homeless or landless people.

The 70 percent settling in rural areas are mostly poor people who lives from hand to mouth, he said and questioned whether this 70 percent population have been receiving any Government's schemes if they don't hold any land document.

Registering for old age pension, ration card, housing for all and the need for residential certificate in admission for children at Jawahar Navodya are some of the projects which require land documents, he said adding that the natives residing in the valley can be levelled as refugees.

Condemning that they have been used as voting tools in times of election, he warned that they will not cast their vote in the coming elections and will even surrender their voter ID cards, which is the recognition granted by the Indian Constitution.

Although the Right to Shelter under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution is present, the homeless and natives without Patta are living like outsiders taking shelter at some other place.

Expressing happiness that land Pattas were provided to some people at Mayang Langjing and Haorang Sabal recently, he said that however, only 25 people of Mayang Langjing received land documents even though the official notification mentioned 85 people in total and only 25 people of Haorang Sabal received their documents against 70 as mentioned.

Claiming that the people have received their documents through premium payment, the project coordinator questioned if premium payment is actually necessary for acquiring Patta.

He further stated that representations were also submitted to the Chief Minister, Revenue Minister and Governor about the matter but the failure to take up any concrete actions has only piled up the grievances and turmoil of the poor natives.

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