Leave tribal students alone : KSO
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, July 28 2016: Kuki Students' Organization has expressed discontentment over the alleged coercion of tribal students to take part in rallies organized for introduction of a new PMP Bill and removal of wanted tag on Ratan by the school student bodies and appealed to all concerned not to intimidate tribal students over the issue.

KSO Imphal, general secretary, Khaiminlen Doungel said that the recent occurrence of unpleasant incidents where tribal students of higher secondary schools in Imphal were forced to take part in rallies by the school student unions is strongly condemnable.

He also alleged that there have been incidents of assault on tribal girls who refused to participate in rallies organized for introduction of a new PMP Bill and for removal of wanted tag on JCILPS leader Ratan while adding that in many of the higher secondary schools tribal students who refused to participate in the rallies were locked up in their own classrooms.

He further alleged that while the school student unions forcibly made the tribal students to join the rallies, hartals and agitations against their will the tribal students were verbally and physically abused and subjected to unimaginable ordeals inside the schools.

He also said that in the process some tribal girls were beaten up by agitating students and discriminatory and derogatory remarks were hurled at them.

When the victimized students complained, it is reported that the school Principals and teachers feigned ignorance and chose to turn a blind eye to the whole incidents.

He further said that the unceasing disruption of classes over a Bill which is controversial in nature is rather unfortunate and it does not augur well for the future of the students and the land.

While the tribal communities of Manipur have opposed the 3 Bills which had already claimed 9 young lives, it is not sensible that a section of community is again demanding the introduction of a new Bill even when the dead bodies of the 9 young men lay unburied to this day, he added.

He continued that the KSO had deemed the 3 Bills unacceptable because it does not affect only the tribal people but the valley people as well and also because the Bills were passed unlawfully.

While appealing the school student unions not to coerce or intimidate the tribal students into joining any agitation in connection with the 3 Bills, the student body said that it is imperative that they should respect the rights, views and opinions of the tribal students if they are for the unity and integrity of the State.

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