Imphal, October 6: The Civil Society Organizations Tamenglong (INU-TZ, LNCM-TZ, RNCM-TL, ZNCM, JTWA-TZ, CSAT, & VACC- Tamenglong, Tamei, Tousem) today strongly condemned the notification issued by the Land Resources Department, Government of Manipur, on September 18, 2025, regarding the procedure for sale, purchase, and registration of land in the Manipur state.
In an unanimous resolution, the civil society organisations of Tamenglong said it takes this government order as a direct assault on the constitutional rights and traditional land holding systems of the tribal communities in the “Hill Areas” of Manipur. “The order, which seeks to impose a uniform land revenue system across the entire state, blatantly contravenes the special protections guaranteed under Article 371C of the Indian Constitution and the provisions of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) Order of 1972”, the civil society organisations of Tamenglong further stated.
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They highlighted that the tribal lands in the Hill Areas are governed by age-old traditional and customary practices, with ownership vested in individuals, communities, clans, and chiefs. The Second Schedule of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972, explicitly places matters concerning land in the Hill Areas within the purview of the HAC, the organisations of Tamenglong added.
The Tamenglong bodies then said the state government’s notification is unconstitutional and illegal. “By bypassing the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and ignoring the distinct socio-cultural and land tenure systems of the tribal people, “the government is attempting to undermine the very fabric of our society”. They added by saying “This move is seen as a precursor to the dispossession of tribal lands and the erosion of our identity”.
The civil society organisations of Tamenglong then said they fully and unequivocally endorsed the memorandum submitted by the United Naga Council (UNC) to the Governor of Manipur on September 25, 2025 on the issue. The civil society organisations then said they “stand in solidarity with the UNC and other tribal bodies in opposing this draconian order”.
The civil society organizations of Tarnenglong then warned that the implementation of such a notification, without regard for the constitutional safeguards and tribal land rights, will inevitably lead to severe social unrest, instability, and conflict within the state.
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Therefore, the civil society organisations of Tamenglong demanded that the state government immediately cancel the notification dated September 18, 2025, issued by the Land Resources Department. They also demanded the government to respect and uphold the provisions of Article 371C and the Hill Areas Committee Order, 1972. They further demanded the government to refrain from introducing any land-related policy without prior consultation and explicit consent from the tribal communities through their constituted bodies.
The civil society organisations of Tamenglong then appealed to the Governor of Manipur to intervene in this critical matter to protect the rights of the tribal people and ensure peace and harmony in the state.
(Newmai News Network)