IMPHAL, Sept 20 - Manipur Government has appealed to people of the State, especially in the hill areas, to appreciate the provisions of the Bills passed by the State House, and not to be misled by rumours which will only lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
The Government further stated, through a press release recently, that it is open to suggestions from all stakeholders for any deletion, amendment, insertion, modification of any provisions in the Bills and ensure that the rights of all are protected.
The Bills in question are Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015.
�It is very unfortunate that people of Manipur, especially those living in the tribal areas, has been misinformed, leading to untoward incidents after passage of the three Bills,� the release stated. �This is to clarify that the MLR and LR 7th Amendment) Bill 2015 was passed in order to regulate the purchase and sale of land to non-Manipuri persons under MLR & LR Act existing within its jurisdiction.�
�These Bills do not affect the tribal areas of Manipur, rather it is intended to introduce a mechanism for purchase and sale of land by and to non-Manipuri persons under MLR & LR Act where it has been enforced,� it added.
The proposed insertion of the Section 14A by the Amendment Bill is that in the event of any compelling circumstances whereby, if any non-Manipuri person, firm or any other entity or any government institution, etc., intend to purchase land in Manipur, he shall have to submit his application in the prescribed form to the DC of the district concerned and the DC shall solicit recommendation from local body/local self-government and submit the application along with the report of such inquiry to the government. This is just a regulatory mechanism to be implemented as and when the need arises, the release added.
