World Indigenous People's Day at Khumulwng, Tripura
Tripura, 09th August 2019
In a massive gathering for unity more than ten thousand indigenous peoples observe the World Indigenous People’s Day on the 9th day of August 2019 at Khumulwng Dak Banglow Stadium, Tripura to preserve their language, culture and identity. The meeting was organized under the banner of he North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF) and the Tripura People’s Front (TPF) and representatives from indigenous peoples across the North East also participated and deliberated on the plight of indigenous people and the need to come together to persue their rights with a clear road map in one voice.
The program was kicked off with hoisting of flags of UN, NEIPF and TPF. Mr. Holiram Terang, former Minister, Government of Assam and president of Autonomous State Demand Committee of Karbianglong, Mr. K.N. Choudhury, senior advocate and Mr. Babloo Loitongbam, director Human Rights Alert graced the occasion as Chief Guest and special guests respectively. Advocate P. Pius Lotha (Nagaland), Mr. Domin Loya (Arunachal Pradesh), Dr. T. Lima Jaucir (Nagaland) also spoke on the challenges faced by the indigenous people of the region. Colourful cultural program from Tripura and Assam uphold the unity and spirit of the region.
The meeting unanimously resolved to extend unconditional solidarity to the indigenous peoples of Tripura in their struggle for conserving the language, script and culture in the face of the drastic demographic shift due to immigration from across the border and the resultant threat to their identity and survival. The meeting also urged the Government of India to fulfill its constitutional obligation under Article 29 of the Constitution in letter and spirit.
The meeting also resolved and decided to convene a conference of experts and representatives of indigenous peoples of the North East to deliberate on the implications of the abrogation of special status from Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 vis-a-vis the fate of special constitutional status enjoyed by the States of the North East region on 7th September 2019 at Itanagar, hosted by the Arunachal Pradesh chapter of NEIPF in collaboration with NEFA Indigenous Human Rights Organisation (NIHRO). The resolution was signed by Anup Chetia, Chief Convenor, North East Indigenous People’s Forum, Mr. Tage Lapung, Moirangthem Gunedhor, Y. Kikon, P.K. Jamatia, Convenors of North East Indigenous People’s Forum.
It may be noted that the gathering was scheduled to be held at the historic Stable Ground, Agartala. Even after obtaining the order from the High Court of Tripura, the Superintendent of Police of Tripura West denied the permission on the vague reasoning that the area populated by those who opposed to the “NRC issue”. As such, the venue had to be changed at the last moment. Despite of the hurdle provided by the administration, the inclement weather thousands of indigenous people of Tripura turned up and cheered the occasion to keep the flame of their hope burning.
(P.K. Jamati)
President, TPF & Convenor, NEIPF
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Babloo Loitongbam who can be contacted at bloitongbam(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on August 10 2019
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