Release ATSUM leaders, punish hatemongers: NEFIS
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 07 2022:
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS), in a memorandum addressed to chief minister N Biren, has demanded that the arrested tribal student leaders be released immediately, take stringent action against the communal hatemongers, and facilitate a democratic and peaceful dialogue between the tribal bodies and the government regarding the contentious ADC Bill.
NEFIS also emphasised that no Bill concerning the hill areas should be tabled without widespread and thorough consultations with the tribal communities.
In a memorandum sent to the CM on Sunday regarding the arrest of tribal (ATSUM) student leaders who have been demanding tabling of the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021, NEFIS member Thokchom Yaiphalembi Chanu noted that their demand is to devolve more power to Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur including finance and autonomy related to the administration of the hill areas.
The arrest of five executive members of the apex tribal student body for announcing 24-hour shutdown in the hill districts against this measure of the state government which instead of introducing the said Bill, placed the 6th and 7th Amendment Bills of the Manipur District Councils (Hill Areas) in the state assembly, has resulted in widespread protests in some hill districts and valley areas by the tribal community demanding the release of the arrested leaders, it noted.
NEFIS also condemned repression of the subsequent peaceful protests by Manipur police and its brutality leading to injuries of many tribal people and asked the government to uphold the democratic rights of the people to demonstrate and put forward their demands.
It also noted that some hatemongers are spreading communal hatred and threatening communal harmony in the state.
This is a serious issue which is exacerbating the volatile situation in the state, and it is feared that it might go out of control if immediate and strict action is not taken against hatemongers.
The state is responsible for maintaining communal harmony and vigilance against any provocative actions aimed at disrupting it.
This issue is very grave and requires immediate intervention by the state government, it further emphasised.