Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL), the nodal body of Tangkhul customary chiefs expressed their satisfaction to the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), Manipur Legislative Assembly for its recent resolutions in matters pertaining to Reserved Forest in hill areas, while urging the state government to respect the resolutions adopted by the committee.
A release issued by the TNWL president SA Ramnganing stated that the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) has rightly pointed out the procedural error in the declaration of Reserved Forest post 1972.
It stated that HAC’s stand not to comply with the department’s decision in matters specifically pertaining to ‘Protected Forest, Reserved Forest and Wild Life Sanctuaries’ until the assent of the constitutionally mandated and empowered Hill Areas Committee must be appreciated and supported by every right thinking tribal populace as the subject pertains to presidential Order of 1972 under Article 371C.
The resolution adopted by the committee is an exercise of the power duly vested in them, the released stated and exerted that 'Forest Territorial Maps" must adhere to existing Revenue District Boundaries (RDB) in letter and spirit.
The body continued that it would give its fullest support in any decision taken by the HAC that concerns the tribal communities because it is a constitutional body set up to look after the tribals.