IMPHAL December 22: The Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, Manipur University conducted a one day discussion on the theme ‘Indigenous Peoples as Custodians of Land and its Ecosystems’ in their Lecture Hall today.
The inaugural session was graced by Manipur University of Culture, Imphal vice chancellor Prof N Khagendra Singh, as the chief guest, School of Social Sciences, Manipur University Dean Prof E Bijoykumar Singh as president and Centre for Myanmar Studies and South East Asia, Manipur University director Prof W Nabakumar Singh and All Manipur Bar Association former president Khaidem Mani attended as guests of honour.
Dr Gaikhamsin in his keynote address expressed the objective of the discussion as necessitated by the threats to the existing Indigenous Peoples Rights over their land and Ecosystems which has led to forceful evictions and negative impact on environment.
Prof W Nabakumar Singh delved on understanding the Indigenous Peoples from chronological, relative and affected perspectives.
He observed “Generally all tribals are considered Indigenous Peoples however some tribals may not be indigenous.”
On the Indigenous Peoples Rights over their land and the role of the State he remarked, ‘Free Prior Informed Consent has been reduced to exclusive meetings and often Indigenous Peoples have become refugees in their own land.’
Relocation and mere physical rehabilitation will not suffice to restore the Indigenous Peoples Rights, he added.
We have to reflect these rights in the context of the present economic globalization and need to recognize the trends of privitisation, liberalization and sustainable development, he said.
The academic discussion was moderated by Dr Arambam Lokendra, former HOD Audio Visual Research Centre, Manipur University with resource persons associate professor LMS Law College Dr N Pramod, IFP reporter Grace Jajo, Director Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur Jiten Yumnam and All Manipur Tribal Union general secretary Romeo Bungdon.
Several case studies of the State involving the rights of indigenous people over their land and resources were deliberated upon during the programme.
The ambiguity of the State and exploitation of indigenous people on the onslaught of development negating constitutional as well as universal safeguards like UNDRIP and Indigenous Peoples as political minorities were also discussed.
The day long discussion also focused on the question of who are the real indigenous people in the context of the State. Several speakers quote the working definition of the United Nations and the understanding of native people as indigenous peoples.