Anti-Jiri district protest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 31 2016:
A sit-in-protest was held at Jakuradhor bazar during Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's visit to Jiribam today to protest the proposal to upgrade Jiribam sub-division to a full fledged revenue district.
The protest demonstration was jointly organised by the Tribal Rights Demand Committee, Jiribam; Hmar Students' Association, Jiri-Vangai Joint Headquarters and All Jiribam Tribals Chief Association, Jiribam.
Around 500 people took part in the demonstration that was held under the banner 'District declaration without consultation never acceptable'.
Various placards inscribed with slogans like 'No consultation, No district', 'Stop marginalizing tribals and minorities', 'Down with revenue district, yes to mutual development and unity', were also displayed during the protest.
Tribal Rights Demand Committee, Jiribam, secretary in a statement, said stepmotherly treatment meted out towards the tribals of Jiribam has disturbed the tribals of Jiribam.
If the State Government continues to ignore the plight of the tribals, a more intense form of agitation may follow, he said.
The aforementioned CSOs have further questioned the plausibility of carving out Borobekra sub-division from its parent sub-division (Jiribam) without the consent of the people.