The Kuki Inpi Manipur urged the state Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to disannul the order issued by the Secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly vide Order No.5/11(2)/2021-LA(Secy) date 01-09-2021 with regards to induction of 9 MLAs from the valley districts as member of Hill Area Committee Manipur.
In its representation submitted to the Chief Minister signed by the President Khaimang Chongloi and General Secretary Shokholun Mate, the Kuki Inpi Manipur reiterated its firm belief in peaceful coexistence, in the state, and recognized that mutual respect among the different communities of each other’s political, constitutional and legal rights are the way forward.
It however said that much to our chagrin and dismay the Secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly issued an order vide order no 5/11(2) 2021-LA (Secy) dated September -1- 2021 for induction of 9 (nine) MLAs from the valley district as members of Hill Area Committee which is undemocratic and will not stand the tests of constitutionality under Article 371C of the Constitution if the State Govt fails to consult the people living in the hills.
It stated that the nine assembly constituencies notified by the Speaker of the Assembly are not from the districts or sub-divisions notified as ‘Hill Areas’ in the provisions of Article 371(C).
But, they are from the valley districts which are all outside the Hill Areas notified in the First Schedule, it added.
It also stated that the inclusion of nine assembly constituencies in the HAC is nothing but an attempt to interfere with and encroach into the functioning of the Hill Areas Committee while adding that such an ill-thought and misleading order issued by the Secretary Manipur Legislative Assembly is an affront and assault on the people living in the Hill Areas with ill motives to continue and perpetuate the exploitation of the hill people and undermined the constitutional protections and safeguards given to the hill tribes under Article 371 (C) of the Indian Constitution, with their land ownership systems and their culture.
KIM further stated that any conversion of Land-use, particularly of Tribal lands required strict observance of procedures, particularly the clearance of the relevant District Council.
(The Hills Journal)