IT News
Imphal, July 12:
An organization called the Kuki Reformation Forum (KReF) has strongly reacted to the statement of the Chief Minister of Manipur where he said that “all lands in Manipur belongs to the government”. In après statement the KReF said that the statement is unpopular and made on the occasion of Van Mahotsava 2021 and mass tree plantation on 5 July 2021 at Mangjol Village under Kangpokpi District.
The KReF reckons that the statement is but insensitive and derogatory in nature, subverting the Rights and Provisions of the Tribals of Manipur enshrined in article 371 (C) of the constitution of India, of the right to self-administration for the Hill Areas of Manipur, and the right to their land and culture.
The Kuki Reformation Forum (KReF) further stated that the landmark stone erection of the infamous Kangpokpi–Kanglatombi Reserved Forest is a direct challenge to the existence of Tribals and Indigenous Rights of the people as laid down by The Schedule Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. It is also plainly noted in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2007, that Indigenous people have inalterable rights to their land and freedom. Besides, the declaration of KK Reserved Forest without the assent of the tribal people is against the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1992 which asserts that “National policies and programs shall be planned and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities”.
It said that the Chief Minister should stop spreading barefaced lies to the public with a narrow divisive intent to gain political mileage out of the tragedy of mistrust and contentions in the state.
“It would be more prudent on the part of the Chief Minister to look for amicable solutions instead of erroneously and emphatically asserting spurious supremacy that will only prove detrimental for the future of the state. Mr. Biren Singh, as the head of the state, should rather strive for peace and harmony and should be disillusioned to think that his government can willfully dictate against the will and wishes of the people”, it added.
The Kuki Reformation Forum (KReF) in their statement further expressed their unflinching support for all the tribal groups who have boldly stood and will stand for the cause of the Tribal Land and Rights, and particularly the Committee on Protection and Preservation of Mt. Koubru (COPPK), and Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SAHILCA) who have been in the frontline against this iniquitous insult against tribal land and rights.