'No CDSU, No ATSUM'
Source: Lalremlien Neitham *
CCPur, January 18 2013:
In a joint press statement, five tribal student bodies in Churachandpur district informed the general public to clear any misconceptions that has risen out of the proposed general strike on the 18th January 2013 by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) and supposedly back by the Churachandpur District Students Union (CDSU) .
The student bodies states that "CDSU has ceased to exist as an apex student union of the district after the majority (ie., five out of nine) parent bodies unanimously resolved to dissolve the union in the larger interest of the students community and the general public.
Besides, this majority parent bodies representatives had held the post of the President, Vice-Presidents (External & Internal), General secretary and Joint Secretary" .
They further clarified that "the advisory committee was formed by the ex-leaders of the union under the Chairmanship of Mr.Gouzamang and Mr.Songtinpao as Secretary and former CDSU leaders with an aim to revive CDSU.
This Advisory Committee has been still work on for its revival till date.
The very existence of this committee is a credible proof that the union stands dissolved" .
"Similarly, the so called ATSUM has also been formed by few vested interest persons without following the proper convention and process of the ATSUM.
Therefore, the so called ATSUM cannot claim itself to be an apex tribal student body of the state.", the joint press release further added.
In view of this, they said that they do not recognise the so-called CDSU and ATSUM and be part of any activities called by the two.
"There is NO CDSU and NO ATSUM that can claim the representativeness of the tribals.
The purported CDSU has no LOCUS STANDI of its own", stated the press release.
The joint press statement was released by Thadou-Kuki Students Union, Hmar Students' Association, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Manipur), Zillai and Komrem Students' Union.
* The sender of this news can be contacted at lalremlien(at)gmail(dot)com .