In an express letter, Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the central government does not give its consent to the three bills passed by the Manipur legislative assembly considering the volatile and sensitive nature that exists among the three communities viz. Meities, Nagas and the Kuki/ Mizo ethnic groups in Manipur.
Owing to sustained pressure by Meitei groups to introduce inner line permit (ILP) in Manipur, the state legislative assembly on August 31 had convened a special session to pass three bills, viz. Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015, and Manipur Shop & Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015.
In the letter dated September 4, Lal Thanhawla said, "Considering the volatile and sensitive nature that exists among the three communities in Manipur, I would like to request you to ensure that the central government does not give its consent to the three bills passed by the Manipur legislative assembly as they are directly against the tribal people of the state."
In the heart of the controversy is the Protection of Manipur People Bill that describes "Manipur people" as those, whose names are in the National Register of Citizens, 1951, census report 1951 and in the village directory of 1951. This, indigenous communities of Nagas, Kukis and Mizos claim, could make them foreigners in their own land as a lot of communities were still in settling mode in 1951.
The situation, sources said, needs deft handling as it can threaten to push Nagas, Kukis and Mizos to claim their share of land or as Naga People's Front, whose four MLAs resigned against the bills, has warned "could throw a spanner in the Naga Peace Accord" besides "engulfing the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur in avoidable conflicts."
In all probability, the Centre is not going to give its assent to the controversial bills, said sources.
Controversial bill
In the heart of the controversy is the Protection of Manipur People Bill that describes "Manipur people" as those, whose names are in the National Register of Citizens, 1951, census report 1951 and in the village directory of 1951. This, indigenous communities of Nagas, Kukis and Mizos claim, could make them foreigners in their own land as a lot of communities were still in settling mode in 1951.
The situation, sources said, needs deft handling as it can threaten to push Nagas, Kukis and Mizos to claim their share of land or as Naga People's Front, whose four MLAs resigned against the bills, has warned "could throw a spanner in the Naga Peace Accord" besides "engulfing the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur in avoidable conflicts."