IMPHAL, September 2: The Hmar Women Association, the Kuki Women Union, the Zomi Mothers Association, Churachandpur Joint Women Organization, the Mizo Peoples Convention Women`™s Wing and Naga Women`™s Union have categorically stated that the exclusive agreement between the government and JCILPS on the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 which was subsequently passed in the Assembly on August 31 should not and cannot include the land of the indigenous peoples in Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul and Senapati.
In a joint statement, the tribal bodies condemned the government for going ahead with the passing of the bill in the face of strong protest by the tribal civil society organisations registered with the 12-hour bandh from 6 am to 6 pm of August 31 in the tribal areas.
“We are peoples different from the dominant societies and have been living and practicing our culture and traditions which is unique and distinct from the dominant societies. Our social, cultural, economic and political life has been passed down from our ancestors and we continue to practice them`™`™, it said.
“We belong to a worldview that defines land as collectively owned by the people and not the State. We are against any form of attempt to alienate us from our land. Land is central to our identity and life`™`™, the statement asserted.
The tribal bodies in the joint statement also condemned the use of brutal force by the State police force which led to the killing of seven tribal civilians and injuries of more than 20 on the evening of August 31 and September 1, saying that the use of violence by the State to silence the legitimate voice of the tribal and insult their sentiments is most unacceptable in a democracy.