SHILLONG, JULY 2: Manipur-based Joint Action Committee against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) has sought the support of all tribal states including Meghalaya in its fight against the alleged passing of what they termed as ‘unconstitutional’ three bills by the Manipur government.
The protest against the passing of these Bills has entered its 306 days.
“We will fight till the end and we appeal to all NE tribal states to extend their support and solidarity against the Manipur government anti-tribal policies,” JAC chief convener H Mangchinkhup told reporters on Saturday.
Mangchinkhup arrived in the state’s capital to address a one day awareness programme on the ills of the three bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly last year.
These include – Manipur People’s Protection Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Reforms and Land Revenue (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishment Bill, 2015.
The awareness programme was organized by the Manipur Tribal Students, Shillong (MTSS) at Nagaland House Community Hall, Nongrim Hills in the city.
He also lamented at the indifference of the Manipur government to ensure that justice is delivered to the nine tribal matyrs killed by security forces.
Terming the passing of the Bills as a betrayal to the tribal in Manipur, Manchinkhup said, “This is a ploy to grab and take away tribal lands and rights, which we will not allow.”
Lambasting the unconstitutional action of the Manipur government, he said that on August 25, 2015, the bills were hurriedly introduced and were accordingly passed on August 31, 2015 without any discussion with stakeholders.
According to him, this is totally against Article 321 (C) of the Indian Constitution which clearly stated that any bill other than a Money Bill should be passed after proper discussion.
“We cannot have such legislations at the cost of our land, identity and rights,” he said while reiterating that the protest will continue till tribals are safe from such sinister design.
Out of 28.58 lakh population as per 2011 census, over 8 lakhs are tribal people in Manipur.
Stating that the issue was also taken up with the centre government, Manchinkhup said, “We have also come to learnt that the President of India has returned the Manipur People’s Protection Bill, 2015 but the other 2 Bills are still being examined by experts.”
On the other hand, MTSS Co-convener Kholter Khampa said, “We need the support of the people of Meghalaya because as tribal we have to fight together.”
He said the MTSS was formed last year to support the protest against the anti-tribal bills while informing that earlier the MTSS had also proposed to hold similar protest in Shillong.
On the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP), the JAC chief convener said that the idea of its implementation will not be appropriate for Manipur due to the present of two entities – the tribals in the hill areas and Meite community in the central valley.
With Manipur being the only states in the NE region not to be brought under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule, Manchinkhup said, “All tribal areas in NE region has been extended under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. So we rather not demand because it is our right. It is for to us to claim to the Centre for extension of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule.”-By Our Reporter
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