BJP MLA pitches for equal land rights of all citizens
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 10 2023: In a letter addressed to the members of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Sagolband MLA RK Imo has issued a passionate call for unity and steadfast support to the proposal for bringing sweeping reforms in the state's land laws.

The overarching goal, as mentioned in the letter sent out on Sunday, is to usher in an era where every citizen of Manipur, regardless of their geographical location or ethnicity, enjoys equal and unassailable rights to land ownership and full protection of their property rights.

In an emotionally charged letter, RK Imo delved into the harsh reality the state is currently facing and said that the state has been ensnared in a prolonged and deeply troubling conflict since May 3, resulting in an appalling loss of lives, numerous injuries, mass displacement of families, and extensive damage to properties in every corner of the state.

Throughout this period of turmoil, the state government has exhibited an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of its indigenous populations.

This commitment is manifested through stringent measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration, dismantling narcotics trade networks, and neutralising insurgent groups that persistently violate ceasefire agreements.

The government has also undertaken aggressive eviction campaigns in protected forested areas to preserve the state's natural heritage, he said.

The turning point in Manipur's history arrived in 2019 when the Central government enacted the Inner Line Permit, a historic legislative milestone designed to protect the interests of the state's indigenous populations, MLA RK Imo said.

However, he astutely highlighted a glaring and deeply troubling imbalance in land ownership rights that persists between the valley and hill areas of the state, primarily due to the archaic Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act of 1960.The MLA elucidated that this Act, originating from the annals of the Parliament, presently applies solely to the valley areas and some select areas in few hill districts.

This legal incongruity essentially translates into a blanket prohibition for valley residents seeking to acquire land in the majority of hill districts.

Such legislative disparities have been roundly criticised as both illogical and fundamentally biased, he observed.

RK Imo also recounted the fervent efforts of his late father, RK Jaichandra Singh, during his tenure as Chief Minister in the late 1980s.Tragically, these attempts to amend the Act to encompass the entirety of the state met an impasse due to the lack of legislative support at that time.

To ensure smooth passage of the Bill, his father had discussed with various village chiefs from the hill districts along with the legislators and other stakeholders to allow extension of the MLR and LR Act in the hill areas, which would entitle them as legal owners as per revenue records and bring more development and progress in their localities.

However, this failed to see the light of the day as majority of the legislators including the valley legislators were apprehensive to this amendment in the Act, he said.

RK Imo argued that the extension of the MLR and LR Act to the hill districts would by no means signify a government takeover of land or precipitate a massive influx of valley residents into the hills as propagated by some tribal leaders.

Rather, such an extension would signify a monumental step towards the protection of individual property rights and the effective prevention of illegal settlements.

The MLA also urged tribal leaders, politicians, businessmen, and village chiefs to unite behind the cause of equal land rights for every Manipur citizen, transcending geographical boundaries and ethnic backgrounds.

The letter underscored recent legislative amendments that now permit non-tribals to purchase land from tribals in the valley areas without the need for special permission from the DC while at the same time forbidding sale of land to non-state natives.

This represents a significant stride toward rectifying the historical imbalance in land ownership rights, fostering a more equitable and inclusive society, he said.

In conclusion, RK Imo called for a united stand in amending the MLR&LR Act to guarantee equal land rights for every citizen of Manipur.

He emphasised the paramount importance of initiating this change with a unified voice, as "it stands as the key to ultimately achieving the required ratifications and amendments in the Parliament" .

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