State Cabinet is incompetent to take decision on land matters: MLA Victor
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 02 2015: MLA ST Nunghlung Victor, 41-Chandel A/C said on Wednesday said that "State Cabinet is incompetent to take decision on land matters of hills without referring the matter to the Hill Area Committee (HAC)" .

In a press release, MLA Victor said that the State Cabinet has taken decision on inclusion of three villages of Chandel District namely Mahou (Tera), Toupokpi, Lokhi Maru and Tonsen Khullen in creation of Sugnu SDC Circle under Waikhong Sub-Division in Thoubal District without referring to the HAC is against the spirit and intention of the Constitution.

Victor alleged that "It has been repeatedly reminded the State Government that land matters in the Hills areas are within the purview of HAC of Article 371C and subsequent order, 1972.However, State Government has made a ploy decision to include Hill villages of Chandel district, under the proposed Sugnu SDC Circle of Thoubal district, which is un-acceptable.

The People may also consider the decision as arbitrary" he said.

The MLA stated that Hill areas are governed under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 while valley areas are covered by the Manipur Land Reforms and Land Revenue Act, 1960. The areas of operation have been clearly demarcated by the Article 371C, and cannot be infringed upon each other, he said.

Victor further maintained that the decision of the Cabinet to include of three hill villages of Chandel district to plain leikais of Thoubal district is against the spirit and intention of the Constitution.

The hill area have the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 for local governance of hills while the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1975 for rural plains.

When administration and governance hills and plains are covered under separate Acts, why should the Government invade hills villages so as to expand plain districts without the approval of HAC?, he questioning and stating that It is unconstitutional and illegal, and cannot be accepted by hill people, he said.

Victor told that "Inclusion of Hill Villages to the proposed SDC Circle of plain areas or any part of the Hill Districts shall be considered invasion of rights and land of hill people in violation of constitutional provisions, parliamentary legislation and state legislations" .

He warned that "If any tribal village or area of the Hill District is put under the proposed SDC Circle, strong resistance will come from hill people that will create communal confrontations" .

Comment