ATSUM decries police action, places demands
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 09 2022:
The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has strongly condemned the incident that occurred on Monday at Tribal Colony when the government forcibly attempted to start construction of new quarters there.
The Union claimed that four persons suffered serious injuries in police crackdown.
In a statement, ATSUM informed that the residents of Tribal Colony have conveyed to the government that they are not against the idea of development and welcomed the plan to construct new multi-storeyed building to house the tribal employees of the state government: But at the same time, they have also expressed that an alternative arrangement to house the 187 employees has to be made prior to start of the new construction.
In December 2020, the High Court of Manipur issued an interim order stating that the residents shall not be disturbed if an alternative arrangement is not made by the government.
However, if an alternative arrangement is made by the state, the residents shall vacate the same immediately, the court order stated.
No such alternative arrangement has been made by the state government till date.
Instead the government attempted to force the residents vacate the colony in total violation of the interim order of the High Court severing drinking water supply pipelines, cutting electricity connections and causing severe injury to the residents by firing tear gas and rubber bullets inside the quarters, ATSUM maintained.
The Tribal Colony situated at New Checkon has a deep rooted legacy in the lives of many tribal people of the state as it has served the welfare of the tribal employees for the last over 60 years.
The colony was established exclusively for residential quarters of Grade IV tribal government employees, whose numbers have grown to 187 families besides existence of nine churches.
ATSUM demanded the government to uphold the interim order of the High Court and refrain from disturbing the residents unless an alternative arrangement is made for them; to uphold the Supreme Court order dated 29-09-2009 and 16-02-2010 by regularisation or relocation of the nine religious structures; to ensure that Tribal Colony retain its name and remain exclusively for housing tribal government servants or employees in line with the initial policy of the government.
ATSUM also demanded the government to own responsibility for the four injured persons, who are undergoing treatment in hospitals.