May 20, 2016 | UPDATED 17:20 IST
New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) Former Manipur MLAs, who had resigned
following passage of three contentious bills in the state Assembly a year ago,
today urged the Centre not to give its consent to the "anti-tribal"
bills.
"We are here to apprise the central leadership, the
President of India about the trauma we are facing today. The three bills were
passed without referring to the hill people, as is the rule," Samuel
Risom, one of the four MLAs, told reporters here.
"With these enactments, they want to destroy the hill
people and tribals. They want to give a free hand to others with vested
interests to purchase land in the state," he said.
The Manipur Assembly had passed three contentious bills--the
Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land
Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015, and the Manipur Shops and
Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015, last year.
The former MLAs belonging to Naga Peoples Front (NPF)-- Dikho,
Alexander Pou, Nunghlung Victor and Samuel Risom - had resigned, alleging
"procedural lapses" and that the bills were "against the
interest of the tribals".
"The bills were passed within minutes without any debate
and they called it unanimously passed. We were not even given time to put forth
our concerns," Risom said.
"But, at least by our resignation, people are now aware
about the situation of tribals in Manipur," he said.
NPF Manipur state President Awangbow Newmai complained of the
indifference shown to the "injured" state of Manipur.
"It is time the Government of India intervenes and sees to
it that normalcy is restored in Manipur and interests of all sections of people
are safeguarded and that everyone is happy. And if otherwise, Manipur is going
to face a very serious problem," he said.
The former MLAs and other NPF leaders yesterday met Union
minister Kiren Rijiju with their plea. They also
want to meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
After the passage of the contentious bills, tribals had launched
protests and clashed with security personnel alleging the bills will allow the
"outsiders" to snatch away their land rights. Nine people, including
an 11-year-old boy, were killed during the agitation. PTI CHT GJS SRY SC SRY
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