Demanding proposed ADC Bill : ATSUM rolls up sleeves, adopts 3 resolutions
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN
Imphal/Spt, August 25 2021:
At least three resolutions were adopted in connection with "The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021" recommended by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) during a consultative meeting at Motbung in Kangpokpi on Tuesday.
It is reported that the meeting earlier scheduled at Amity Hall, Adimjati Complex, Imphal was allegedly foiled by the State police.
The programme organized by All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) was participated by All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Kuki Students' Organisation-general headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and their federating units, apex tribal organizations, district based apex organizations, women organizations, student bodies, scholars and well wishers.
According to ATSUM, three resolutions were "unanimously adopted" during the meeting.
Firstly, the meeting resolved to condemn the State Government for 'not allowing the conduct of "tribal consultative meeting" in Imphal on "The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021" .
Secondly, the consultative meeting resolved to form a committee under the aegis of ATSUM to "shoulder the ADC Bill 2021 movement" .
Thirdly, the consultative meeting resolved to organize consultative/sensitization programmes on the "The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021" in the hill districts, according to ATSUM.
The apex tribal student body then said that the meeting "unequivocally" appreciated the initiatives of the Chairman and members of HAC for recommending the Bill which seeks to empower "Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) under Article 371 C" .
On the other hand, ATSUM, in a press communique, stated that the desperate act of the State Government revealed its partiality, autocratic and rhetoric nature of governing the State.
The State Government which proudly claims to have administered people oriented and socially tranquil administration in the State failed to keep its advocacy by letting the valley based organizations convene a public meeting on the ADC Bill, 2021 whereas, the tribal organizations were deprived of the same at Imphal, the statement added.
The ATSUM further said that the State police repeatedly surveying the house of tribal student leaders at Imphal will only worsen the situation.
It also said that the tribal leaders will never waver nor bow down to any forces trying to suppress the tribal movement.