Indigenous rights would be lost if more non-locals are elected: Lancha

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 1

Social activist Ningthoucha Lancha wondered how population of non-locals in Jiribam reached 71 percent as it was only 349 out of six thousand indigenous people during the census report of pre-merger agreement.

Speaking to media in a meeting held today at Manipur Press Club organised by Coordinating Committee of Civil Societies on the topic “Manipur leingak ta meetop ki fida piba amashung khut thingjinba” Lancha said the meeting is related with the present situation of the state in the backdrop of electing one Bangladeshi Ashab Uddin from Jiribam district as an Independent MLA.

The meeting will be discussing on the procedure Ashab Uddin was elected and how the public will accept him in the society. It will also discuss on why the executive estate replaced the post of chief secretary O. Nabakishore by a non-local.

Talented people of the state have been emigrating in search of jobs outside the state whereas immigrants are becoming overflowed in the state. If proper steps are not taken soon, extinction of indigenous people is a must in some decades, he added.

Lancha said before the pre-merger agreement during 1951 Kangpokpi was settled by Burmese, Nepalese with a population of mere 437 and population of Keishamthong and Sagolband constituency were eight thousand and 11 thousand respectively.

According to the present census report Keishamthong and Sagolband constituencies has reached about 30 thousands and 35 thousands. But population of Kangpokpi and Jiribam have reached to a level that can claim to form a new district by now without much increment of indigenous population. The reason would be excessive entry of non-locals in the state, he added.

Lancha further claimed, Ashab Uddin has elected from Jiribam district and now he is involving while ruling the government. Rights for indigenous people would be lost if more non-locals have elected in future.

According to merger agreement under article 9 it has stated that non-locals can settle in the state. But under the order of Supreme Court the merger agreement has expired on July 1994. In Mizoram government jobs are given priority to the native people. Likewise the state should give the job priority to the indigenous people other than non-local.

In order to bring positive outcome for indigenous people central and state government including other civil society organisations must communicate to frame a right which would be prioritised for the native people, Lancha added.

President of Eramdam Kanba Apunba Lup, O. Bimola, Sonamani Potshangbam, president of Women Association Socio-economic Development, RK. Tharaksana and president of The Loumee Shinmee Apunba Lup Mutum Churamani also attend themeeting as dignitaries.