IMPHAL, Septmber 2: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur president has submitted a representation to the Governor seeking to keep The Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill 2015, The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) 2015 in abeyance and the matter be referred to the Hill Areas Committee for consideration.
The representation said there is a special provision with respect to the State of Manipur in favour of tribal under Article 371C of the Constitution which was inserted with effect from 15-02-1972.
And that, the Hill Areas Committee was constituted for dealing with the Hills Matters which is also known as the Semi-Assembly within the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
It also said that the then President VV Giri issued an order dated 20th June, 1972, namely, The Manipur Legislative Aseembly (Hill AReas Committee) Order, 1972, with powers and functions numbering 13 items and with regard to these 13 subject matters, the Central government and State government have nothing to do without referring the matters to the HAC.
It said the State Assembly had passed the bills without referring to the HAC violating the provision of Art 371 C.
It also said that the State Assembly also failed to consult the National Commission for Schedule Tribe set up with effect from February 19, 2004 although it is mandatory.
It said land and forests are subject matters of Hill Areas Committee.
Tribal peoples`™ cultures and identities form an integral part of their lives, custom and traditions, institutions, customary law, land use and form of organizations, etc. are usually different from those of the dominant population, it said.
As such, special measures are therefore required to be taken to ensure that they are protected, appropriate participatory mechanism are involved, and implemented in the governance of
Schedule Tribes and Schedule Areas (including hill areas of Manipur), it said.
It also said that Article 371C and Article 338 A guaranteed the protection of life and properties of the Tribals of Manipur.
It also said that the benefits of Article 371 C are not extended in the hill areas of Manipur till date.