1967 Act reason for present crisis: Maheshwar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, February 02 2024: Republican Party of India (Athawale) national secretary Maheshwar has observed that the present crisis in Manipur occurred due to the failure of successive governments to fully implement the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chief Rights) Act, 1967 in the state which was passed 57 years back.

Speaking as chief guest in a public meeting organised jointly by Meitei Community Joint Co-ordinating Committee (MCJCC) of Waithou Haokha Kiyam to Thoubal Khunou and its Women Wing at Haokha Soraland Laikol in Thoubal district on Friday.

Maheshwar expressed serious concern that the indigenous Meetei community is now living like refugee in their own land while questioning why Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chief Rights) Act which was passed in 1967 has not been implemented properly by the successive governments in the state.

Observing that the Act has been overlooked by the political class, including MLAs, ministers and successive chief ministers as a part of vote bank politics, he pointed out that the hereditary chieftainship of Kuki ended in several other North east states as well as in Myanmar.

However, rationale for the same practice continuing in Manipur is highly questionable, he said while claiming that several Kuki villages have been set up by illegal immigrants coming from Myanmar taking undue advantage of the Act.

The meeting was also attended by MCJCC president Nongthombam Biren as president along with local leaders and social workers.

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