CCpur JAC declares victims as 'martyrs'
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, September 04 2015 :
Arson and violent protest witnessed for the past four days against the passing of three Bills that are seen as 'anti-tribal' is slowly giving way to a more organised village level agitation, as the JAC spearheading the protest gears up for a protracted fight by withdrawing its earlier petition to the Chief Minister and declaring the victims as 'Tribal Martyrs' .
A statement issued by the JAC following their meeting with the victims' households and family councils today said, 'the eight victims are hereby declared as 'Tribal Martyrs,' hence no compensation, ex-gratia or its concomitant assistance from the Government of Manipur will be accepted' .
Rather, each tribe will make monetary contributions towards the supreme sacrifices made by the eight martyrs, it added.
The JAC accordingly announced the withdrawal of their memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Ma-nipur on September 3, 2015 .
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The Executive Council of the JAC that reviewed their charter of demands also reaffirmed the immediate need for a separate political autonomy for the tribals of Manipur and accordingly called upon the UPF, KNO and other stakeholders to work out an amicable political objective that will be wholeheartedly pursued by all sections of the tribal society, including the JAC.
'As requested by the victims' families and desired by the public, the JAC reaffirms the immediate need for a separate political autonomy for the tribals of Manipur,' said the JAC statement even as they conveyed their commitment to pursue the cause of the supreme sacrifices made by the eight victims for their fellow tribal.
With protest spreading to the local level where womenfolk held sit-in at many villages across the district, violence eluded the day for the first time since the protest erupted on Monday.
The JAC had also announced the timing for relaxation of their bandh call for tomorrow � 5am to 12 noon - and include the Treasury office among those essential services exempted within the bandh purview.
Meanwhile, a team Zeliangrong Union � Assam, Nagaland and Manipur today paid their respect to the tribal martyrs along with an UNC team that was led by its president.
The UNC team numbering about 20 included leaders from NPO, ZYF and the chairman and vice chairman of ADC Senapati.
While paying their respect to the victims, the UNC leaders told the crowd that greeted them not to lose their heart and reassured them that the entire Nagas of Manipur are with them.
They have a joint meeting with the three tribal apex bodies - Kuki Inpi, Churachandpur, Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council.
What exactly transpired in the meeting is however not known.
It is also learnt that both the UNC and ZU teams met the JA C leaders and handed over monetary assistance meant for the victims.