KANGPOKPI, March 17: Safeguarding and protection of land according to the District Council Act was mainly emphasized today during the second awareness and interaction program organized by the ADC Sadar Hills, with chiefs, khullakpas, headmen and secretaries from within Saitu-Gamphazol jurisdiction attending at Sapormeina.
The awareness and interaction program was attended by Haokholal Hangshing, chairman ADC Sadar Hills, Thangjakam Misao, vice chairman, Lunthang Haokip, executive member and other elected ADC Sadar Hills members as well as Tongpu Kipgen, president SAHILCA apart from more than 200 village chiefs including khullakpas, headmen and secretaries from different parts of Saitu-Gamphazol block.
Stressing on the importance of the functioning of the district council administration, Hangshing said that ADC Sadar Hills’ initiative in organizing the awareness and interaction program is to create cordial relationship among the village chiefs, khullakpas, headmen or secretaries themselves and the district council administration.
The chairman continued that ADC Sadar Hills is the only district council where there is no social disparity or discrimination which is build up by multi ethnic society while adding that mass economic growth through grassroots level is the motto of the district council administration.
He also pointed out that various acts and power devolution was made but till now nothing has been implemented.
The ADC Sadar Hills chairman also emphasised on the importance of preserving the culture and identity of all communities residing in Sadar Hills.
Speaking at the event, Thangjakam Misao lamented that the land under the administrative jurisdiction of ADC Sadar Hills is legitimately protected by district council administration and added that no one has the right to sell or buy land without the recommendation and acknowledgement of the district council administration.
He also said that when the district council administration and concerned village chiefs, khullakpas, headmen collectively work together with mutual understanding and cordial relationship the land of Sadar Hills practically preserve and the people will dwell in peace and harmony.
While talking about development and improvement of education sector in Sadar Hills, the vice chairman pointed out that there are 180 primary school in Sadar Hills including 10 junior high school with adequate teachers before adding that the shared efforts of both the village chiefs and district council administration is essential in improving the sector.
Lunthang Haokip said that the land of Sadar Hills particularly those near to the valley areas has been occupied and encroach by the valley people with different strategies while adding that the land of Sadar Hills will be protected under District Council Act 44(A).
According to District Council Act 44 (A) enshrined power over land to the district council administration, it is obviously clear that any matter related to transfer, lease, sell or purchase of land will be done with the recommendation and acknowledgement of the district council administration and the DC has o nothing to do with it.
The executive member also pointed out that the burial site of late Robinhood is officially under the administrative jurisdiction ADC Sadar Hills which was acquired without the acknowledgement of the district council administration and added that there are also many other similar unpleasant incidents where the land of Sadar Hills has been illegally encroached.
He also urged the village chiefs, khullakpas, headmen and concern authority to collaborate with the district council administration in preserving the land of Sadar Hills.
Many other village chiefs, khullakpas, headmen from different communities also spoke on the event including the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association president who lauded the initiative of ADC Sadar Hills in building cordial relationship and mutual understanding among the village chiefs and district council administration.