ATSUM to issue ID cards to non-locals
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Kangpokpi, August 01 2014 :
In the wake of repeated racist physical attacks on people from the North Eastern States in other parts of the country, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has decided to issue Identity Cards to all the non-locals staying and doing business in the Hill areas of Manipur beginning August 16 .
Informing this, ATSUM Education Secretary Kakam Haokip observed that the move has been initiated to ascertain the number of non-locals staying in the state and the purposes of their stay.
It is also for their safety, he added.
Kakam continued that every non-local will be subjected to physical verification and those found without identity cards will be compelled to pay fines and liable to detention for verification by ATSUM and its volunteers.
While appealing to the non locals to register their names to avoid misunderstandings, Kakam Haokip said that all the non-locals coming to the Hills must obtain the Identity Cards.
Every person above ten years must register their names, he informed, while adding that the Identity Cards will be available in the entire hill districts and in the Information Centre at New Lambulane.
Registration would require two passport size photographs and the details of all family members, he explained.
Meanwhile, ATSUM pointed out that due to recent agitation for implementation of ILP in the state by various civil society organizations, there has been serious implications on the students.
Appealing the government to look into the matter seriously and come up with a definite and positive stand, the tribal student apex body urges the agitating organizations not to involve the students' community as it will directly affect them mentally and physically.
While strongly condemning the Police action on the agitating students, ATSUM asserted that rallies and protests are due to the people's discontentment on the government and if it is peaceful, it should be allowed and the police should be more responsible and reasonable.