'Political interference' complicates ATSUM's imbroglio
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray
Ukhrul, January 12 2013 :
All Tribal Student's Union Manipur (ATSUM) has pointed its finger on "political interference" as the main factor for the imbroglio that has been dogging the organisation ever since its revival three-month ago.
In a telephonic talk with Hueiyen Lanpao on Saturday, ATSUM general secretary Ayo Shatsang said "there is certainly political interference in the affairs of the tribal student body of Manipur...some individuals and organisations have fallen prey to this divisive game" .
This statement came a day after the Kuki Student's Organisation (KSO), Senapati District Stduent's Association (SDSA) and Naga Student's Union, Chandel (NSUC) questioned the mandate of the present team of ATSUM.
He cited that "some tribal ministers and MLAs" are opposed to the idea of reviving the influential tribal student's body that has for long remained as the only common platform for all the tribes in the state.
"ATSUM is an influential union with participation from all the tribes of Manipur.
Since its inception, it has been steadfastly pursuing justice and performing as pressure group against the government," Shatsang stated.
The ATSUM general secretary said that in many instances for years, ATSUM has been a staunch critic of government's policies that could apparently negate the rights of the tribal communities in the state.
Reacting to the statements issued by KSO, SDSA and NSUC terming the incumbent tribal student body as "pseudo" and "self-styled" organisation, the ATSUM has decided to ignore the "baseless outcry" and linked their opposition to "political instigation from those in the power of corridor" .
It said that after remaining defunct for nearly two years, ATSUM was formally reorganised on November 2 last by inviting the five federating units namely Churachandpur District Student's Union (CDSU), Zeliangrong Student's Union, Manipur (ZSUM), Naga Student's Union, Chandel (NSUC), Senapati District Student's Association (SDSA) and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) .
It also clarified that KSO and ANSAM are only sub-ordinate units and not federating constituents as reported in the media.
"In the recently constituted team, some organisations are insisting on their choice of candidates who did not enjoy the consensus of the federating units," Shatsang informed.
Further, the body stated that it is receptive to suggestions and has been maintaining official communication with all its units to join hands in the newly instituted team.