PRESS RELEASE
4th Sept. 2012

A five-member delegation of CoPTAM led by its Chairman Shri Letpu Haokip met the Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Dr. Rameshwar Oraon here today, at his Office in New Delhi. The delegation submitted a memorandum in continuation of the Committee's memorandum submitted to the Commission on 15th October, 2010, and apprised him of the problems being faced by the tribals of Manipur. The main problems mentioned in the memorandum were - 1. Land record and District boundary, 2. MLR & LR Act, 1960. 3. Proposed Manipur(Village Authority in Hill Areas) 2nd Amendment Act, 2011, 4. Proposed Manipur(Hill Areas) District Council, 4th Amendment Act, 2011, 5. Forest Acts, 6. Moreh Rural/Urban issue, 7. Panchayati Raj/Municipality in hill areas, 8. Police boundary and 9. Constitutional provisions for protection of tribal land Rights in Manipur. The CoPTAM leaders were shocked to learn that the state government of Manipur has not furnished the reports as sought by the Commission(NCST) where in the Commission directed the state government vide letter File No.TKL/1/2010/STGMN/DELAAL/RU-II dated 19-10-2010 to furnish detail report within 30 days on the issues/demands raised by CoPTAM.

After giving a patient hearing, Hon'ble Chairman of the Commission assured the delegation that appropriate steps would be taken by the Commission at the earliest time for appropriate solution.

Sd/-

Thangkam Lupheng
Gen. Secy., CoPTAM