Bodies resent Govt three bills
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 04 2015 :
A joint meeting of Indigenous Peoples' Forum (IPF), NC Hills, Assam was held on September 3 at Haflong with the affiliated apex bodies of Zeme, Hmar, Kuki, Vaiphei, Baite, Rongmei, Hrangkhol and other communities.
The meeting raised strong resentment against the three bills passed by Manipur Assembly on August 31.IPF is a conglomerate of NC Hills Indigenous Student's Forum (NCIDSF), Indigenous Women Forum (IWF) and Indigenous Village Chief Forum (IVCF) .
The meeting declared that passing of the bills was done without prior consent of the hill tribals of Manipur and is therefore, a gross violation and infringement upon the indigenous rights of the tribal communities and the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous People Article 26, 1&2 .
"The IPF feels that, under no circumstances, the Government of Manipur should infringe upon the rights and dignity of the indigenous tribal peoples but should adopt fair and just legislations for communities living in the hills or those in the valley", said a statement signed by IPF media and publicity in-charge Zion L Faihriem.
The meeting demanded that the Central Government should initiate a judicial inquiry into the killing of civilians and take prompt action for immediate restoration of peace and normalcy in the State.
Condemning the killing of eight innocent civilians in Churachandpur during the recent violent incident, the meeting also demanded both the Central and State Governments to check further escalation of violence and killing in the State.