10 days economic blockade comes to an end JAC thanks all, reiterates stand against Bills
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 19 2016: The JAC Against Anti-Tribal Bills has expressed its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the tribal people of Manipur who had tirelessly volunteered and effectively carried out the 10-days economic blockade at Senapati, Kangpokpi, Motbung, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Singngat, Churachandpur and various other tribal areas.

In a statement, the JAC said that the goods and vehicle keys confiscated by the volunteers of the JAC at Churachandpur can be claimed by the respective owners at Sulphate Pumbuk, Hiangtam community hall between 10 am and 12 noon on June 20.The JAC also thanked the President of India and the Union Government for upholding the sanctity of the Constitution by withholding the Protection of Manipur People's Bill, 2015.

A goods carrier burnt during the blockade-File photo

It is the wish and prayer of the tribal people of Manipur that this Bill along with the other two 'anti-tribal' Bills � the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 � be withheld.

The JAC reiterated that the three 'anti-tribal' Bills are just the spark that has exposed the age-old discriminatory policies of the 'communal Manipur Government' is not only cultural but institutional and Governmental as well.

The Manipur Population Commission and the Manipur Land Reforms Commission, for which the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit Systems (JCILPS) has already signed a MoU with the Manipur Government, as well as the demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list by the dominant Meitei community are some of the other anti-tribal policies that are anticipated to be played out in the coming days, the statement added.

The JAC would continue to oppose these divisive policies which are detrimental to the tribal people at any cost.

With the fight for tribal land, rights and identity being far from over, the JAC would like to humbly appeal to all tribal people of Manipur to kindly start stocking daily essential commodities at their respective homes and be prepared for any eventuality, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Naga People's Organization (NPO) Senapati has also informed to those concerned owners whose items were seized during the 10 days economic blockades to come and collect their respective items within Monday.