IMPHAL, May 11: The Tribal Youth Council, Manipur today organized a one day seminar on the theme, “Suppression and exploitation of tribals and social divide in Manipur” at the Imphal Hotel today.
Speaking as resource persons, Advocate R Daniel spoke on Article 371C-Power and function of Hill Areas Committee; ex-MLA and IRS (retd) Chungkhokai Doungel on problems confronting the tribals of Manipur with special reference to Inner Line Permit while Imphal School of Preaching Director Dr R Sanga spoke on rights of tribals on land, forest and natural resources.
R Daniel in his speech said, “Hill areas of Manipur are predominantly inhabited by members of the ST and to safeguard their interest special provisions were made in Section 52 of the government of Union Territories Act 1963”.
He continued, the Hill Areas Committee is a semi Assembly without the Speaker and its power and functions come under Article 371C of the Indian Constitution.
Elaborating further on Article 371C , he quoted , “Notwitstanding anything in this Constitution, the President may, by order made with respect to the state of Manipur, provided for the Constitution and functions of a Committee of the Legislative Assembly of the state consisting of the members of that Assembly elected from the Hill Areas of the State, for the modifications to be made in the rules of business of the government and in the rules of procedures of the legislative assembly of the state and for any responsibility of the Governor in order to secure the proper functioning of such a committee”.