'Do not force tribals to join movement'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2015: Saying that apex bodies of hill people were not consulted for the ILPS movement, the Tribal Youth Council, Manipur (TYCM) has urged all concerned not to force hill people to join the ILPS movement.

In a statement, TYCM secretary, Lh Decemhring said that support or no support by the Hill people is a different thing, however, in the event of any important movement to be launched as a common issue for both the Hills and Valleys, both parties should have common understanding of the issue.

People of the valley should have consulted the apex bodies of the hill districts before launching demand and agitation for Inner Line Permit (ILP), and also representatives from Hill areas should have been included in the JCILPS, said TYCM.

As such, hill people should not be forced to join the agitation for ILP, by entering the Leikais inhabited by tribals.

It should not construe hill people as pro-ILP or anti-ILP movement, but the fact is that, valley people have never consulted the hill organizations on this issue.

The hill districts are totally ignored and their interests are not taken into account in the said on-going agitation.

They do not know what the demands are.

Therefore, they are not supposed to join the protest as far as the TYCM is concerned, added the statement.

As per our customs, an individual or group cannot join such movements without the prior consent of the apex bodies.

Condoling the demise of Sapam Robinhood, the TYCM said that the indefinite blockade of Ukhrul road, and other roads leading to Dingku Road and tribal dominated areas of Imphal by JAC against the killing of Sapam Robinhood has caused a lot of inconveniences to the public, mainly the people from Ukhrul district and people residing along Ukhrul road.

Blocking only Dingku Road for the last many days looks like the JAC is targeting a particular community and area.

This will only worsen the relationship between the communities which is already in a bad shape.

Therefore, TYCM request the State Government, JAC and ILP teams and also the well-known valley based civil organizations to look into the matter so as to prevent development of any communal enmity between hills and valley.

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