ZYF pitches for AA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 16 2016: Pointing out that the counter blockade imposed against the hill tribal people is the reflection of deep divide between the people living in hills and valley, the Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) said that the only solution for long lasting peaceful and communal har-mony among the people of Manipur will be to grant separate alternative arrange-ment for hill tribal people where there will be no interference.

In a statement, Donpon Daimei, general secretary, ZYF said that the counter blockade imposed with clear intention to make the hills tribal people suffer will not serve any good purpose but more enmity will surface as hill people may resort to similar mode of agitation in future to counter any agitation launched in the valley districts.

ZYF said that the counter blockade imposed by some valley based Meitei organizations pulling down goods from hills district bound vehicles and restricting carrying of essential commodities and goods to hill districts will not bring any good but add more problems in the days to come.

The 10 days economic blockade imposed on the National Highways by tribal JAC is not against any community but against the wrong policy and unconstitutional three Bills passed by the State Assembly last year.

But the counter blockade of suppressive method with ill attitude towards the hill tribal people with clear intention to suppress the democratic voice of the tribal people in a democratic country shows that the hills tribal people cannot even raise a voice of concern and express objection even when their future interest and sentiment is infringe upon such as the infamous three 'anti tribal' Bills.

The present situation was created by the State Assembly at the behest of one community with irresponsible legislators who without proper consultation with all the stake holders hurriedly passed the three Bills last year where the hill tribal people strongly objected thereby nine innocent persons were shot dead by the State security forces while protesting the unconstitutional three 'anti tribal' Bills, it said.

ZYF further said that the hills tribal people never imposed counter blockade on National Highways or any places dominated by them so far even when the valley districts was under siege for many months due to various forms of agitations and protest that was launched by valley based organizations particularly in Imphal.

The tribal people respect the sentiment and interest of all the sections of people including Meitei community but such respect is not shown and reciprocated to the hills tribal people interest and sentiment which is very unfortunate.

The State Govt ferries essential commodities and goods from other States for the people of the State by spending and incurring heavy exchequer with the money collected as taxes from the people is not only for a particular community and section therefore, pulling down and restricting essential commodities and goods to reach the hills districts with State Govt not taking action against the responsible groups will strongly and befittingly responded in right time, it cautioned.

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