ANSAM, KSO defend Joseph Hmar
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 11 2019:
With regard to the views expressed by Joseph Hmar, Tribunal General of the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) on the Meitei community recently, the Kuki Students Organisation-General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) have said that "there is nothing wrong in expressing one's opinion for or against the movement.
"But taking the issue as personally and posing a threat on social media/electronic media by naming Joseph Hmar, Tribunal General of ATSUM is immature and unfounded," the Kuki and the Naga student bodies said on Monday.
According to the KSO-GHQ and ANSAM, in the back drop of a mass rally organised by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) on March 3, 2019, a consultative meeting of all the tribal organisations was held on March 6, 2019 at TRI, Chingmeirong in Imphal.
On the day, in an interview with a local TV channel the Tribunal General of ATSUM questioned the legitimacy of reversing from general to tribal, said the KSO-GHQ and the ANSAM.
"He only stated facts of history of how the Meitei community became Hindus and how the community had readily agreed to merge with the Union of India.
He also argued as to whether there could be any tribal organisation supporting the demand of STDCM for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list," the two student bodies clarified.
ANSAM and the KSO-GHQ reminded and said, "It should not be forgotten that the ATSUM is a mandated organisation and therefore, whatever statement/decision is given out in the public domain represents the shared opinion and voice of the tribal populace" .
The ANSAM and the KSO-GHQ, as constituent bodies of ATSUM, "are constrained to release this statement for the well being of the State" they claimed and added, "Let us all keep calm without provoking each other" .