JOINT MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO THE VISITING CENTRAL TEAM IN CONNECTION WITH DECENTRALISED GOVERNANCE IN NORTH-EAST INDIA BY VARIOUS LOCAL TRIBAL BODIES,
CHURACHANDPUR, MANIPUR
ON 28th APRIL, 2011.
Sir,
May we draw your kind attention to the pitiable tribal area administration in Manipur for your kind perusal and necessary action.
That, there are fundamental flaws in the provisions for administration of Tribal areas in Manipur. The Autonomous District Council in Manipur (Hill Areas), that was in existence prior to Manipur statehood, is uniquely different from other Autonomous District Council in North-East India. The Hill Area Committee under Art.371 C is kept outside the purview of Schedule areas and Schedule tribes administration and control of the Constitution. In reality, the subtle decisive control exercised by the State Government has rendered meaningless the theoretically sound provisions under ADC or HAC. They end up as toothless Institutions because they are shorn of the vital legislative, financial, and judicial powers that could have made the difference. So, in the form they are implemented in Manipur, they neither safeguard tribal interests, nor meet their rising aspirations.
That, the tribal had opposed and will continue to reject any move to abolish traditional tribal institution like Chiefship/Khullakpa or any provision that threaten their land right until and unless a Statutory Constitutional Safeguards is provided to their identity, culture, customs, traditional practices, land and resources.
That, the Proposed Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council, Fourth Amendment Act, 2011 and the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas), Second Amendment Act, 2011 are merely a symptomatic attempts to crack the age-old tribal aspirations. Therefore it deserve to be rejected in to to.
We, therefore, suggest that the Government take the initiative to institute an Autonomous Tribal State within Manipur for effective decentralised governance in tribal areas of the State.
With warm regards.
Yours Sincerely,
President & Secretary
Kuki Innpi, Churachandpur
President & Secretary
Mizo People’s Convention, Manipur
President & Secretary
Hmar Inpui, HQ, Manipur
Chairman & Secretary
Zomi Council
President & Secretary
United Zou Organisation
President & Secretary
Vaiphei People’s Convention
President & Secretary
Paite Tribe Council
President & Secretary
Tedim-Chin Union
President & Secretary
Thangkhal People’s Organisation
President & Secretary
Mate Tribe Council
President & Secretary
Kom Union, Manipur
President & Secretary
Gangte Tribe Council
President & Secretary
Simte Tribe Council
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