ATSUM meet sticks to demand for ADC Bill
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, July 16 2022: The second general assembly of All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has resolved to reiterate the demand for tabling the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) recommended "The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021" in Manipur Legislative Assembly and enacting the same as an Act.

The assembly also resolved to protect the constitutional rights, customary laws and practices of tribal communities.

The tribal body in order to facilitate commitment to tribal causes and issues, a pledge christened as 'Haipi pledge' was taken in its second general assembly at Haipi village, Sadar Hills and a declaration to stand united and resolute on the two underlying issues was also taken.

A press communique of ATSUM said that a thorough deliberation and discussion on myriads of issues confronting the tribal people of Manipur were made during the assembly held on Friday with the participation of ATSUM Tribunal members, senior leaders, federating units of ATSUM, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and its units, Kuki Students' Organisation General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and its units.

The assembly unanimously resolved to reaffirm and endorse the ATSUM executives to pursue the charter of demands placed before the government for materialisation as agreed in an official meeting held between ATSUM and state government on August 13, 2019 .

"Considering the sorry state of affairs of education system especially in the hill districts, the house recommended the constitution of Education Commission by state government" the ATSUM stated.

The tribal students' body on land and forest' issue, unanimously resolved that it will not accept any land laws/forest laws with regard to tribals being enacted by state government which undermine and dilute upon the letter and spirit of existing separate and special provision of hill people.

"Further, to make the tribal position amply clear, the house resolved that the customary system of land ownership and land holding system of the tribal communities must be given due respect", it added.

The assembly also resolved that any exploration or exploitation of natural resources in tribal land should be acceptable and beneficial to the land owners.

On the "imposition of major language", the assembly resolved to fight tooth and nail against any form/kind of imposition of major language upon tribal people.

The Haipi Pledge said that it would strive together until their demands are met by the state government".

It was signed by presidents of ATSUM, ANSAM, KSO GHQ, Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), Tangkhul Katamnao Sakong (TKS), Naga Students' Union Chandel (NSUC), chairman of Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur (ZSUM) and convenor of Joint Students' Body (JSBC) .

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