Inpis assign KIM to fight Bills ; Schools likely to reopen from Monday
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, October 01 2015: A month after the State Cabinet passed three Bills that drew widespread protest from the tribal community, a joint meeting of several Inpis today assigned Kuki Inpi, Manipur to take up the case of the three Bills on their behalf even as the latter expressed its willingness to discuss and refine the Bills which are now with the President, if the State Government agrees to recall them.

The JAC, Churachandpur has also decided to allow educational institutions to open till 12 noon from Monday onwards.

The Inpis – Kuki Inpi, Churachandpur, Zomi Council, Hmar Inpui, Mizo Peoples Convention,Vaiphei People's Council, United Zou Organization, Simte Tribe Council, Paite Tribe Council, Tiddim Chin Union, Thangkhal Tribe Union, Komrem Union, Thadou Tribe Council, Gangte Tribe Council, Mate Tribe Council and Joint Action Committee at KIC Office, Tuibong, Churachandpur - that met here today entrusted KIM to take up the case of the three Bills while discussing in detail the current situation prevailing in the hills of the State.

File pic of womenfolk forming a human chain at CCpur town

KIM, according to the leaders who addressed the press, said they had expressed willingness to discuss the three anti-tribal Bills along with various CSOs at the Chief Minister's table, if the State recalls them from the President.

This was made clear in their earlier memo, and KIM still stands by that term.

The apex tribal bodies are also disappointed that despite the numerous memoranda submitted to the Government since August 31, they are yet to receive anything concrete to address the situation till today.

With KIM now all set to spearhead the fight against the Bills, they are expected to make all the calls on behalf of the tribal community.

On the resolution already adopted by the KIC, ZC, HI, and MPC on burying the nine martyrs before October 6, KIM leaders maintained that there is no hard decree to give the martyrs a burial within a specific date.

The resolution of the apex bodies had drawn widespread criticism including from the martyrs' families and it eventually was the cause of LB Sona's resignation as the Chairman of Zomi Council.

The Zomi Council cabinet on the other hand, it is learnt, has deliberated over the resignation of its incumbent Chairman LB Sona and after duly accepting his resignation appointed G Vungsuanthang to head the Council as in-charge Chairman until further notice.

Meanwhile, the JAC Churachandpur has today announced its decision to relax the public's daily agitation for another hour from the existing 1pm to 2pm while it also decided to limit the dharna points to six.

The six points identified as dharna points are Kangvai, Monglenphai, Light House/Sielmat, Police Point, District Hospital and Rayburn College.

The JAC's decision was taken after an extensive meeting with several village authorities and women organisations.

The dharnas will be held during the bandh hours in between 2 pm and 5 pm each day.

However, medical, electricity, telecom, water supply, media, bank and treasury will be exempted from the purview of the agitation, said the JAC in a press release.

On the other hand, educational institutions will be allowed to open till 12 noon from Monday onwards, it added.

Nevertheless, it has authorised village committees and authorities concerned to make necessary arrangements to suit local needs and situations.