Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 06:
Reiterating the decisions resolutely arrived at the joint meeting held on July 29, this year, the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students' Organization KSO, General Headquarters (GHQ) have rejected the "double standard of the State Government of Manipur announcing its strong directives to control the Mayek volunteers of taking the law within their disposal and violating the Motor Vehicle Acts of the State".
The State Government even declared the activities of Mayek agitators as criminals under 120-B/153-A/341/506 IPC read with 9 Punjab Security Act and 192/198 of Motor Vehicle Act while on the other hand State Government clandestinely signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 26 2007 at the Chief Minister's chamber with the Mayek agitators (published in Imphal based local dailies on 27th July 2007) is disgusting and ignoring the interest of other ethnic minority communities and defying the laws by the law enforcing agents of the State", said the two students bodies.
The statement also said that things have been proved without an iota of doubt that the State machineries are in connivance with the majority valley community to exploit and inflict injuries on the hill people.
"If this is the attitude of the dominant State Govt., the ANSAM and KSO (GHQ) are prepared to initiate appropriate course of action within our jurisdiction with immediate effect from August 6, 2007," it warned.
The two students organisations then urged all the constituent units and branches of ANSAM and KSO (GHQ) to restrict the entry of Meitei Mayek inscribed vehicles in the hill districts.
The statement also urged their units and branches to erase all sign boards, vehicle number plates and wall paintings written in Meitei Mayek in the hill districts.
"Any imposition of Meitei Mayek inscription in the vehicle No.plates may be reported to ANSAM and KSO (GHQ) for initiation of further course of necessary action in consultation with ATSUM," further urged the statement.
While terming it as the calculated attitude of the "dominant state authority to assimilate through linguistic, culture, dress code and script ventures", the students organisations urged the State Government to spell out their hidden agenda on the people of the hill districts.
"Taking serious note on the sinister motives of All Political Parties in the State to oppose the delimitation process is crystal clear primarily focused and designed to subjugate and deprive the constitutional rights of the tribals.
The delimitation exercise under 2001 census is promoting and protecting the provision of the constitutional rights and enhancing the prospect of the tribals of proportionate participation in the State Assembly which is directly denied and challenged by the dominant group to forcibly suppress us," said the ANSAM and KSO statement.
The student bodies also strongly condemn the State Cabinet decision on July 30 2007 (published in Imphal based local daily on 31st July 2007) to reject 2001 Census report and their plea to halt delimitation exercise.
"The State Government's intention to maintain status quo in favor of the dominant valley interest by ignoring the tribal rights is iujurious in the long relationship of the ethnic communities.
This outcome is holding the tribals in ransom to prosper and benefit the valley sector.
We on behalf of the hill people questions the integrity of the tribal Cabinet Ministers in the present SPF Ministry and responsible tribal legislatures opposing the delimitation as per census 2001.Representatives timid and ignorant to defend and safeguard the rights of the tribals are betraying the aspirations of the people they represent and amount to selling off the rights at the cost of their respective chair and position in the State Assembly," asserted the two students organisations.
The statement however said that the students bodies acknowledge and appreciate the tribal legislatures who make a work out from the Special Assembly Session to advocate the delimitation exercise as directed by the Delimitation Commission for smooth implementation.
It further stated that this is the time for the tribals to learn to foster unity and mutual understanding in the interest of the "minority hill people in the present state of Manipur".
On the development front, the statement said, "The tribals have tolerated beyond our patience.
Some basic requirements to develop hill sectors are deplorable.
The road conditions under NH � 39 and NH-53 are in a pathetic shape.
Though the Central Government has invested crores of rupees through the State PWD, nothing is in progress.
Now, the ANSAM and KSO (GHQ) are compelled to take strong exception viewing the suffering and hardship of the daily commuters, vehicle owners and transportation inconveniences in trade and commerce".
"Under such circumstances, the joint organizations urge the State Government of Manipur to survey the road conditions and expedite the implementation of work sanctioned by the State before 16th August 2007," requested the Kuki and the Naga students bodies to the State Government .
However, both the students organisations warned that in the event of the failure to response in the affirmative to the appeals, the constituent units of ANSAM and KSO (GHQ) through various organs shall resume 24 hours total bandh along NH � 39 from midnight August 16 next.
It further warned that all the vehicles or transports carrying materials and goods belonging to PWD shall be restricted indefinitely from August 18 and "if the Government and the concerned Department fail to respond positively, course of agitations shall be intensified and also that the State Government shall be responsible for any eventualities in neglecting the hill people".
The joint statement then announced that the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) and its units and the KSO Sadar Hills and its units are empowered to deploy man power required for carrying out the course of action.