Removal of TD from Tonsing irks ATSUM
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 11 2011:
The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has expressed anguish over the relieving of Tribal Development and Hills portfolio from Phungzathang Tonsing.
ATSUM also lambasted the tribal ministers in Manipur accusing them of 'fighting' amongst themselves for their own selfish ends.
"The infightings among the tribal ministers for power have also served as a detrimental factor for the tribals of Manipur as a whole," ATSUM said today.
On the stripping of the Tribal Development and Hills portfolio from Tonsing, ATSUM said," This is ample proof that the Secular Progressive Front government led by Ibobi Singh is hell-bent on taking away every available resource of the tribals which is unfortunate" .
It also terms the case of relieving the portfolio of Tonsing as an insult to the tribal ministers in particular and the tribal people of Manipur as a whole.
"The time has come for the tribals to ponder whether the present government is good for the tribal people," ATSUM said.
The tribal students' body then advised that it would be wise on the part of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to "think deeper" and not to further hurt the sentiments of the tribal people.
"For good or for worse, and whether we like it or not, we have to live together," said ATSUM adding," Hurting the 33% plus tribal population is uncalled for and a shame" .
It urged the state government to look into the March 13 incident of Tamenglong regarding the public-Assam Rifles stand-off.