November labelled Tribal Unity Month, bandh, highway blockade lined up
JAC lays down 'customary law' rider for talks with Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, October 29 2015: A joint consultative meeting of the JAC against 'anti-tribal Bills' today took a decision to insist that the State Government should approach them according to the tribal customary law as a condition for the committee to respond to the State Government's invitation for talks.

The JAC has also declared November as Tribal Unity Month.

They have also accepted the JAC's proposed 'road-map' and resolved that a team comprising of the Church and tribe leaders besides the JAC meet the Governor at the earliest.

The State Government should follow norms of the tribal customary law with regard to the alleged atrocities committed on the nine 'Tribal Martys' and only then will the JAC respond to the State Government's invitation for talks, said a resolution of the consultative meeting.

File photo of a public meeting at CCpur

The road-map also envisions imposing highway bandh on all highways connecting Manipur valley with the tribal territories starting from midnight of November 15, 2015 to protest the Manipur Government's anti-tribal policies and continued indifference towards the plight of the tribal people, as well as to show solidarity towards the supreme sacrifices made by the nine 'tribal martyrs' .

The meeting, attended by representatives of Hmar Inpui, Vaiphei Peoples' Council, Simte Tribe Council, Kuki Inpi, Churachandpur, Mizo Peoples' Convention, Gangte Tribe Council, Paite Tribe Council, Mate Tribe Council, Tedim Chin Union, Thangkhal Peoples' Organisation, Gangte Students' Organisation, Khangthah Zuun Pawl, Siamsinpawlpi, Zillai, Mizo Zirlai Pawl, Hmar Youth Association, Kuki Khanglai Lompi, Young Paite Association, Young Vaiphei Association, Chin Youth Association, Kuki Women Union, Hmar Women Union, Zomi Mothers' Association as well as other tribal leaders, Church leaders and family members of the 'tribal martyrs' also decided that all forms of agitation including bandhs, dharnas etc shall be withdrawn every Sunday to ensure a conducive atmosphere for prayer and other related Church services.

An extensive road-map outlined by the JAC on the occasion was also accepted by the meeting in principle with the execution of the same to be done in consultation with other tribal apex bodies.

According to the road map laid out by the JAC, a 48-hour total bandh covering all tribal territories of Manipur will be enforced from midnight of November 3, 2015 to midnight of November 5, 2015 to coincide with the mass rally planned by the Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi.

From November 6 onwards works to repair crucial roads including Guite road, connecting Mizoram; the Ganja Lambi, connecting Silchar via Tamenglong and Jiribam besides the road connecting Tipaimukh road and Mizoram will begin with the supervision of JAC road construction committee that is proposed to be constituted by November 2 .

Tribal leaders and members of tribe based organisations will be involved in the process and funds will be raised for the anticipated expenditure while bulldozers and JCBs (excavators) will be identified and gathered from each tribe within the specific road or area to be constructed, it said.

A photo exhibition on the tribal movement from November 20 to 30 is also on the menu.

The JAC has labelled their entire road-map, confined mostly to November, as Tribal Unity Month.