Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 18:
Tribal student bodies including All Tribal Student's Union, Manipur (ATSUM), Kuki Students' Organization (KSO) and All Naga Students' Association (ANSAM) have appealed to all concerned to settle the present imbroglio amicably through dialogue without resorting to violence and confrontation in the best interest of the people of Manipur.
In a statement jointly signed by its president John Pulamte and general secretary Samson Remei, ATSUM said it is necessary to avoid misunderstanding among the people that can ultimately generate 'a sense of alienation between ourselves�.
The statement said that ATSUM in consultation with various other tribal students� bodies including KSO and ANSAM strongly condemned the brutal killing of Pastor Jamkholet Khongsai and Thangjam Manorama by personnel of Assam Rifles and extended support to the demand for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur.
In the present situation, however, the tribal student bodies appreciated the willing of the State Government to solve 'he issue by partially lifting the said Act from certain areas of the State on an experimental basis, the statement said, maintaining that it is a good beginning and a positive step towards complete removal of the Act from the entire State.
Expressing serious concern over the various forms of agitation that have begun to affect the life support system of the people and the State besides causing tremendous hardships to the people, some of whom are already reeling under natural calamities like rodent menace, landslides, etc, the tribal student body strongly felt that the time has come for all concerned to work out an amicable present hour calls for an amicable solution through dialogue among all concerned for resolving the impasse, the statement said.