Dimapur, June 11 (MExN): The Naga People's Front, Manipur State Unit has stated that the three anti-tribal bills “were passed hurriedly without giving opportunity to the members for debate.”
The three bills in question are: Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill 2015; MLR - LR act 1960 seventh amendment Bills 2015; and Shop and Establishment Bill second amendment Bill 2015.
Making its position clear to the public, a press release from the NPF Manipur state unit maintained that the 4 NPF MLAs tendered their resignation on September 4, 2015 in protest against the three bills and the state government’s resolution “against Indo- Naga Framework agreement passed on 31st August 2015”.
The four NPF MLAs are St. Nunghlung Victor (Chandel), Samuel Risom (Ukhrul), Dr. V. Alexander Pao (Karong) and L Dikho (Mao).
Despite the resignation being acknowledged by the speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, the speaker has not made a decision till date for reasons unknown, the party unit stated. “Whatever may be the case the four MLAs [will] stick to the decision,” the NPF Manipur State Unit maintained while disclosing that the four MLAs “have not attended assembly or meeting convened by assembly or Chief Minister.”
The NPF reasoned that the process of passing of bills had procedural lapses. “HAC orders of 1972 and GSR of his Excellency the president of India Shri. V. V. Giri order 1972 sub - paragraph 2 of Paragraph 4 was not followed,” it stated.
On the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill 2015, NPF cited clause 2 of sub - clause 'b' which says that Manipur peoples means whose names are in the National Register of Citizens, 1951, Census report 1951 and Village Directory of 1951 and their descendants. “It is very clear that names are not recorded in the mentioned records, which means all the hill peoples will be considered as non - Manipur persons,” it observed.
On MLR - LR Act 1960 seventh amendment bills 2015, the NPF claimed that sections 14A and 14B which is to be INSERT IGNOREed in the principle bills “is an attempt to transfer the land ownership of the tribals to state govt which is against the existing laws under MLR LR Act 1960 section 2 and section 158 of the Principle bills.”
The NPF also termed the Shop and Establishment second amendment bills 2015 as “anti tribal bills” claiming that it is “an attempt to grab the power from local authorities.”
In this regard, the NPF Manipur unit informed that its MLAs have met the Union Home Minister several times and apprised him the reasons why they oppose the bills. The party strongly asserted that the President should not give its assent “as it will lead to uncontrollable unrest in the state”, the NPF stated.
NPF Manipur State Unit also made it clear to the public that the suspension of some members from the party is based on “party constitution”. “If the matter is to be resolved it should be within the party as per rule of the party,” it contended. Any party man who cannot follow discipline has to face disciplinary action, it maintained.
