Re-introduce Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill: RNYOM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 18 2022: The Rongmei Naga Youth Organization, Manipur (RNYOM) has appealed to the Governor, the Chief Minister and all legislators to apply the laws connected to land ownership of the hill people of Manipur and re-introduce the Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council (Amendment) Bill, 2021 .

In a statement, RNYOM claimed that the legislation and administration of the hill areas of Manipur is "vulnerable to be sabotaged even from the side of the Head of the State Government" .

The statement also commented on Chief Minister N Biren Singh's alleged remark on the hills as "belonging to mother nature and not to any particular community" and called it bereft of logic.

RNYOM alleged that the shrinking state of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and the "servitude countenance" of the certain MLAs had brought the hill areas into such an unfortunate situation where their very survival and identity are being threatened.

The statement also asserted that only the "Autonomous District" status with Sixth Schedule or any other mode of genuine autonomous separate hill administration with specific hill land law can safeguard the land and resources of hill people.

With regards to 'Go to Hills', the statement expressed doubt if under the shadow of the alluring slogan, the indigenous hill people might end up losing their lands under the Forest Reserved Areas and Forest Protected Areas etc since MLR and LR Acts cannot be bulldozed in hill areas.

The statement questioned if the State Government had followed the provisions of Indian Forest Act 1927 while declaring Reserved Forests and Protected Areas in the hill areas of Manipur.

Lastly the statement asked the State Government not to jeopardize the relation between hill and valley people.

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