World Indigenous People's Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 09, 2014:
As in other parts of the world, World Indigenous People's Day was observed by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) at THAU Ground, Thangmeiband here today.
The observance function was attended by Th Iboyaima, father of social work; Prof Lokendra Arambam, retd Director of AVRC, MU; RV Mingthing, ex-Minister; Prof Khullakpam Md Abdul, Secretary of Manipur State Minority Commission; Rose Mangsi, president of Kuki Women's Union and H Ibotombi Khuman, convener of JCILPS as Presidium Members.
Babloo Loitongbam, human rights activist; Ningthouja Lancha, editor of Kangla Lanpao and Sapam Deleep, lecturer in Law College were also present as Resource Persons.
While speaking on the topic 'Bridging the Gap: Implementing the Rights of Indigenous People' advocate Angomcha Araba observed that people staying in hills will also be affected if Inner Line Permit System is not implemented in the State and asserted that the system could be implemented if all the 60 MLAs have enough political will and commitment.
Under the theme of "In Defence of Our Land, Forest, Water, Our Rights and Future", World Indigenous People's Day was also organized jointly by Citizens Action for Social Development; Centre for research and Advocacy, Manipur; Citizens Concern for Dams and Development' and Awang Sekmai New Market Development Association at Awang Sekmai today.
Starting off with the key note address delivered by Jiten Yumnam, Secretary of Centre for Research and Advocacy; many resource persons including writer Yaiskul; Phulindro Konsam, Convenor of Committee on Human Rights; Thanmi Kashung, Advisor of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers' Organisation (MDAVO); Chaba, Joint Secretary of All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen's Union and Sorokhaibam Sanjoy of All Manipur Unitd Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) attended and deliberated on the theme of the observance with specific reference to local context.