Expressing concerns over the land issues faced by the Tribals, especially in Manipur, Fr (DR) Walter Fernandes, Director of Northeast Social Research Centre, on Wednesday said that it is time for the tribals of Manipur to come together and unite for their land.
Lecturing on “Delisting of Tribal Christians from ST List: Its Larger ramifications and consequences” at the DSSS Hall in Mantripukhri, the priest, who has worked for decades on issues related to the Tribals in India, said it was time for the tribals in Manipur to come together for the land.
Even as Christians, as most tribals are Christians, one must leave behind their differences in denominations, forget that there are Naga or Kuki and unite as tribals for their land, he said. Work has to be done together as tribals, even develop lands, the priest added.
Fr (DR) Walter Fernandes also said that the biggest threat to tribal lands comes from within. The rich and the powerful, with economical and political backups, buy all the land and then sell it off to outsiders, thus alienating their own, he alleged.
The Director of Northeast Social Research Centre also warned that the tribals should not rely too much on laws such as Article 371C to safeguard their lands. The government can easily remove such articles and bring all the tribal lands under its rule, he said, citing the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.
Citing instances from the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa, Fr Walter said that while the people think that their lands are protected by laws, what the government really wants are those lands, especially in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.
He also alleged that there are plans to divide Tribals and Christians and that they are being attacked for the same.
Organised by All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO), the lecture was moderated by Fr Albert Leivon, Secretary of AMCO and attended by priests, scholars, CSOs and representatives of ATSUM.
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