ATSUM demands alternative accommodation
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, December 19 2020:
The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has demanded the State Government to arrange 'alternative accommodation' for the occupants of Tribal Colony before dismantling the existing structures/ buildings.
This demand of the apex tribal student body of Manipur came after the State Government had reportedly made a decision to construct a multi-storeyed building (G + 6) Government residential quarters at Tribal Colony, New Checkon, in its Cabinet meeting held on September 15, 2020 .
In this regard, ATSUM recalled the reasons for the establishment of Tribal Colony.
According to the student body, the Tribal Colony located at New Checkon in Imphal East is a Government quarter exclusively constructed for the tribal Government servants/ employees in 1961 .
Since then, according to ATSUM, tribal Government servants/employees mostly in the Grade-IV such as sweepers, chowkidars, clerks, police Constables, Riflemen, drivers etc were allotted the quarters of type-I (consisting 100 quarters), Type - II (Old and New), Type - III (Old and New) and Type - IV in Tribal Colony.
ATSUM further said that this arrangement of providing shelters/quarters to tribal Government servants/employees by the State Government has boosted the morale/enthusiasm of the tribal populace of all hill districts for serving the State in their capacity by stationing at Imphal.
The student body further said that the name Tribal Colony itself in the heart of the city signifies or facilitates the integral unity of the State.
"It is pertinent to practically strengthen the much advocated vocal into reality by preserving the only tribal designated colony of Imphal by all and most importantly by the State Government," it added.
"The decision of the State Government to construct a multi-storeyed building (G + 6) Government residential quarters at Tribal Colony, New Checkon is well appreciated by all.
However, it would be prudent to arrange an alternative accommodation for the occupants of Tribal Colony before dismantling the existing structures/buildings, ATSUM added.