IMPHAL, February 26: The Government of Manipur has taken a decision recently which is to constitute Village Development Committee (VDC) without the participation of Village Headman, Chief or Khullakpa and village authority member completely deviating from the old age customary practice and till regent the same practice in or hills district of Manipur said Somi Keishing Advisor Tribal Forum Manipur.
In a conversation with Somi Keising at his resident, said that the notification of government on the formation of VDC is nothing but divide and rule policy to create parallel power in the small village which is the smallest unit of development activities.
He further mentioned that the village authority Act 1956 and rules, framed day after the formation of the committee was not satisfactory to the tribal people adding that there are many reasons that the Act itself limited the village authority member to 12 only (under section 3 of the Act).
“Most of the tribal villages have more than 12 clans. Where clan wise representative as village authority members and has been following from time immemorial. The vivid example is Ukhrul village which having more than 20 clans and till today village authority election has never been conducted because the Village authority members is limited to 12 only in the Act” he pointed out.
Therefore the act has regarded as death Act and because of the Act the Tribal Chief Forum Manipur has proposed a proper draft amendment of the 1956 Act and the draft has been submitted to VK Duggal governor, Gaikhangam Deputy Chief Minister In charge Hill and Chairman Hill Area Committee, informed Keishing.
Somi cited the detail in the proposal that the tribal people are not satisfied including the power and function of the Village authority where elected village authority members from every clans for period of five years. It shall be development committee and Village School development committee with full responsibility for day to day village administration of the village, he suggested.
“This has been proposed that the hill village authority Act is a law to be enforced in the hill area. Having a law and having election village authority members for term of five years. Why responsibility should not be given to them?,” he posed.
The Village Development committee is only guideline, and Village authority Act is a law. The matter is taken seriously by the tribal chief Form Manipur. He said if necessary legal advice would be sought, if the government don’t withdraw the order.
He further mentioned in this regard that respect the tribal custom will, Hills be the wounded of the people of Manipur relationship. Any contrary to the customary habit will distance for the tribal people from the main stream.
Somi told that there are host of problem yet to be solved by the government due to delay in addressing the problem in time. It has been culminated to Alternative Arrangement by Naga Society and separate demand by Kuki.
He alleged that instead of taking seriously political will and determination the government try to intrude into the sensitive area of customary practice of Hill area which is very unfortunate as the government must remember that tribal people regarded their custom as their identity.
He said that Tribal custom is unwritten but known to every people and citizen from time. It has followed from generation to generation and it is a well tested practice law and best for the tribal people in the village administration, he maintained.
“The tribal people don’t come much for legal help from government court. Every problem settles in the village only”.