Ukhrul/Imphal, September 25: The United Naga Council (UNC) has urged Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to cancel a recent notification of the Land Resources Department, saying it contravenes constitutional safeguards for the hill areas and threatens the traditional tribal landholding system.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the UNC said the September 18 notification prescribing procedures for the sale, purchase, and registration of land in the State undermines the provisions of Article 371C of the Constitution, which vests all scheduled matters relating to the hill areas under the Hill Areas Committee (HAC).
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The UNC pointed out that the order of the HAC was promulgated in 1972 by then President V.V. Giri and remains in force. It further noted that tribal land in the hill areas is governed by customary practices, with ownership resting in individuals, clans, chiefs, or communities. Only certain stretches in Moreh, Churachandpur, Chandel, and Khoupum valley fall under the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960, it said.
“There is no law that governs the sale of tribal lands in the hill areas. Making the notification applicable across Manipur without reference to Article 371C is unconstitutional and illegal,” the memorandum stated.
Warning of potential “social upheavals and unrest” if the notification is implemented without considering tribal rights, the UNC called on the Governor to intervene and direct the Land Resources Department to revisit the policy in line with constitutional provisions.