Book titled History of Revenue Administration released
UCM advocates uniform land law
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 21 2024: History of Revenue Administration in Manipur, 1946-2010 AD, a book compiled by retired IAS officer A Tombikanta and published by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) was released today at its Lamphelpat office.

Speaking at the book release function, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said that the book would prove to be a priceless resource in the people's quest to determine their future.

He said that the unnatural growth of villages in Manipur from 1946 to 2020 has been systematically documented in the book.

The book has been published to facilitate a thorough study of the growth of villages in different phases viz; during the British colonial period, the brief period of Manipur's independence, after Manipur's merger with India and after 2001, Joychandra said.

Book titled History of Revenue Administration released

Saying that the UCM has been fighting against all forces which are challenging the integrity of Manipur, he asserted that creation of a Kukiland out of Manipur will always remain a pipe dream.

The book published today is a testimony that Manipur had well defined administrative structures and laws and it would be quite useful for references and research works, he said.

Manipur had its own land revenue administration system before it was altered drastically by British rulers, he said.

A new and a very dangerous land revenue administration system was implemented in Manipur after it was merged into the Indian Union.

Meiteis living in the valley were not allowed to settle in any part of Manipur whereas hill people could settle in any part of the State.

This unfair system led to distrust and division among the people, Joychandra said.

In the meantime, large number of Chin-Kuki immigrants from Myanmar who look physically similar with the indigenous people intruded into Manipur and set up a number of new villages.

If one studies the book published today, one can easily understand how many villages should there be in Manipur or how many villages should not be there, he asserted.

Many more such books based on facts should be published in the interest of future generations, he said.

The UCM president asserted that there is an urgent need to implement a uniform land law across Manipur.

A uniform land law will not only bring the communities closer but also facilitate speedy development of the whole State, he said.

One crucial step towards bringing peace in Manipur is ensuring that all the people are entitled to equal rights, Joychandra said.

Former Head, Department of History, MU Prof Naorem Joykumar said that the book published today will be quite useful but nowadays very few people read books.

Although Manipur University has produced many PhD holders, the university has not yet done any extensive research on the economy, history and the revenue administration of Manipur, he said.

Prof Joykumar said that revenue administration is the backbone of administering a State/country.

But no book has been published on the revenue administration system of Manipur for the period starting from the State's merger with India till date.

There is no book which deals exhaustively with Manipur's economy and revenue administration after its merger with India.

The book published today is the first book in the area of the State's revenue administration, Prof Naorem Joykumar said.

All the data given in the book are based on official records and there is nothing fabricated or fictitious, and the timing of its publication is quite perfect, he remarked.

The book gives a detailed account of when Kuki influx into Manipur started in the post merger period as well as the growth of villages, he said.

The book can definitely shed new light to the State's administrators particularly Commissioners and politicians, he exuded.

He also appealed to CSO leaders to study and analyse the book.

Prof Joykumar said that "History of Revenue Administration in Manipur, 1946-2010 AD" will be an undeniable proof of the fact that Kukis are migrants and they came to Manipur illegally.

A new picture will emerge when these facts are proved, he asserted.

Retired IAS officer A Tombikanta, UCM consultative members Yumnamcha Dilipkumar and Khomdram Ratan were also present at the function.