Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, February 23
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ommittee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur (COPTAM) has warned today that violators of the ‘chakka bandh’ in the hill districts of Manipur will be dealt with stern actions. The bandh will begin from the midnight of February 24 and end on midnight of February 27.
Talking to some media persons somewhere in Sadar Hills today, COPTAM leaders said the 72-hour ‘chakka’ bandh has become inevitable ‘for availing justice to the tribal people of Manipur.’
Appealing the transporters, the public and the civil society organisations to extend co-operation to the ‘chakka bandh’, COPTAM leaders said inconveniences to the common people are bound to occur “but we have no other options since the state government continues to ignore our cries.”The media, religious related activities, students appearing board and council exams. And educational institutions shall be exempted from the purview of the said bandh, COPTAM added.
COPTAM’s agitation is in protest against the state government’s ‘indifferent attitude to the legitimate and rightful demands’ of the tribal people.
According to COPTAM, since 2010, it has been requesting the State Government to maintain the original boundaries of all the districts of Manipur, transfer of land records to all respective districts, withdrawal of Panchayati Raj Institutions from the Hill areas/districts where ADCS exist and to solve the issue of Police district boundaries/ Police Stations jurisdictions etc.
Regarding the land records transfers, Orders for Churachandpur and Senapati Districts have been issued in 2013 but no implementation till date. For Tamenglong and Chandel districts, orders are yet to be issued.
PRIs have been withdrawn from the Hill area but the same is yet to be withdrawn from some pockets of Saikul Block, Sadar Hills and Samulamlan Block of Churachandpur District.
Regarding Police District boundary/Police Station jurisdiction, it is unlawful to include the Hill Villages in Police Stations of Valley Districts. It is an act of over-lapping administration and also a manifestation of undermining the powers and functions of hill districts’ police.
COPTAM demanded immediate implementation of Government’s order for transfer of land records to the respective districts in respect of Churachandpur and Senapati districts. For Tamenglong and Chandel districts, orders for land records transfer should be issued without further delay. It also demands for the immediate and total withdrawal of PRIs from the hill districts. COPTAM then demands that the State Home department’s order in regard to police station jurisdictions should be cancelled immediately and opening of more police stations/outposts in the hill districts where necessary.
