IMPHAL, March 13: The Hmars Students’ Association, Gen. Headquarters appealed the Government of Manipur to consider the grievances and apprehension of the Hmar community living in Jiribam Sub-Division in regards to its intention to upgrade the sub-division to a full fledged Revenue District.
In a statement the association mentioned that in 2007 the Hmars Student’ Association had stated that no decision should be made by the Manipur government without consulting the Hmar populace who inhabit a large area of rural Jiribam.
The HSA is dismayed at the negligence of the government to consult the Hmar people and disapprove the arbitrary decision taken by the state government with only a section of the many communities living in Jiribam, it said.
Stating that it is appalled to learnt of the government’s dictate to stop the payment of hill house tax without citing any reason and without notification, it also expressed grave apprehension of the intention to convert the constitutionally protected tribal land in general and Hmar village land in particular to revenue land and laments the great loss of land that had occurred earlier in Zaironpokpi and Muolzawl.
The HSA Gen. Headquarters declared that all Hmars in Manipur and elsewhere will stand for the rights of Hmars populace in Jiribam and appealed the government to consider the grievances and apprehensions of the Hmars in Jiribam and strongly objects all attempts to marginalize and rob the Hmar people of their constitutionally protected tribal land and tribal rights.