CCpur JAC reiterates boycott stand of tribal MLAs
Cong stands boycotted in tribal areas, shut offices call rung out
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 08 2016: Reiterating its earlier stand to boycott all tribal MLAs, following their refusal to resign after the State Assembly passed the three Bills on August 31 last year, the Joint Action Committee, Churachandpur has urged the people not to vote for any of the boycotted MLAs and the lone MP from Outer Constituency.

The tribal MLAs who have been boycotted are, D Korungthang (Tengnoupal AC), Victor Keishing (Phungyar AC), MK Preshaw (Chingai AC), Yamthong Haokip (Saikul AC), Francis Ngajokpa (Tadubi AC), Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi AC), Ngamthang Haokip (Saitu AC), Kikhonbou Newmai (Tamei AC), Janghemlung Panmei (Tamenglong AC), Gaikhangam (Nungba AC), Dr Chaltonlien Amo (Tipaimukh AC), Vungzagin Valte (Thanlon AC), T Manga Vaiphei (Henglep AC), Phungzathang Tonsing (Churachandpur AC), TN Haokip (Saikot AC) and Ginsuanhau (Singngat AC).

The decision to boycott them was taken on September 12 last year, said the JAC.

Giving a detailed account, the JAC in a statement said that on August 30, 2015, the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur appealed to the Hill Areas Committee, that comprised all the tribal MLAs, not to attend the special session of the Assembly on August 31 but this went unheeded and the three 'anti-tribal' Bills were passed.

After the Bills were passed, the Kuki Inpi, Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council had on September 1 last year asked the HAC to convene a meeting at the earliest and take appropriate action to repeal the Bills or insert an exclusion clause in the Bills within ten days.

However no response was received from the HAC, it added.

Then on September 3 last year, ATSUM declared a ban on the entry of all tribal MLAs in tribal areas until they resign in protest against the three 'anti-tribal' Bills.

Then again during a meeting with the HAC on September 11, 2015 at Imphal, ATSUM asked the tribal MLAs to resign on moral ground, it added.

As nothing moved the tribal MLAs, the JAC resolved to support the ultimatum served by the apex bodies and agreed to impose public boycott on all the tribal MLAs if no positive response comes forth by midnight of September 10, 2015, said the JAC and added still then no response was received from the tribal MLAs.

Then on September 12, 2015 the JAC sent a media team to verify the rumour that the tribal MLAs had resigned but the team did not get any satisfactory response from the tribal MLAs, recalled the JAC.

The public boycott of the tribal MLAs was announced as no response from the MLAs or the HAC was received, it added.

Then on July 18 this year, the JAC had a meeting with the Outer Manipur Tribals' Forum (OMTF) and the decision to boycott the tribal MLAs and the lone MP was reaffirmed.

It was also resolved to boycott the Congress party in all tribal areas of Manipur and the party will not be allowed to have any activities in the hill areas, it added.

The meeting also resolved to lock up the office of the Congress party in all the tribal areas.

The JAC also said that apart from the Election Commission of India, nine organisations and Churches had appealed to the people to stand for free and fair election in the upcoming Assembly polls.

On the dedication of the rebuilt Salpha Tumbuk held on November 4 this year, the JAC adopted five resolutions pertaining to the upcoming Assembly elections.

According to the resolutions, the voters should not vote in favour of any of the MLAs who stand boycotted, no individual, group or organisation including underground organisations should engage in any form of violence or do anything that goes against the norms laid down by the Election Commission of India.

The JAC further said that everyone should ensure that the coming election is free and fair and cast their vote to safeguard tribal rights.

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