ATSUM draws Governor's attention
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, July 18 2014 : Submitting a memorandum to Governor VK Duggal during their maiden meeting today, the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has drawn his attention on various tribal related issues which according to the student body are dear to the tribal people for ages.

ATSUM demanded immediate intervention of the Governor so as to make the State Government introduce the rules of the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Post and Services (for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Act 1976 with 100 Point Roster as the present guideline is not helping the tribal in any way.

Regarding Hill Areas Committee in the state ATSUM pointed out the Constitution of India has specially made this institution powerful so that the marginalized Tribal people and their interest will be look into with special care.

While alleging that Manipur Hill Area Committee is more or less like a Government Department ATSUM mentioned that the Hill Area Committee in other states is functioning properly and the guardians are also doing their duties.

"Never have we come across where Hill Area Committee is up against the program and policies in regards to the Hill Areas", further alleged ATSUM.

As a custodian of the constitution we would like this institution Hill Area Committee function properly and fearlessly and let the chairman of Hill Area Committee be always from one of the opposition not from the ruling party asserted ATSUM.

ATSUM in the meantime maintained that to bridge the gap between the tribal and others in developmental works the Government of India during the Fifth Five Year Plan come up with the concept of Tribal Sub � Plan before adding that despite various guidelines issued by the Planning Commission the State government has never implemented the same.

Only in name and in paper that Tribal Sub-Plan is given due importance.

After enquiry it is also learnt that Tribal Sub - Plan is non - functional in the state alleged the tribal student apex body urging that the state government to follow the guidelines of the Planning Commission and Implement Tribal Sub � Plan in the state in Toto.

While urging the state Government to materialize its promise of delegating power to the ADC immediately ATSUM maintained that after more than 20 years election to the District Councils are conducted with stiff opposition from the Nagas in particular.

The members of ADCs are mostly selected not elected so there is no democracy in the real sense of the term in the hills.

On Police Boundary issue ATSUM questioned that nowhere in the country does one find two separate administration of Civil and Police boundary while adding that civil administration and police administration must be under one administration.

Status Quo should be maintained and no tribal villages which fall within the Hill District should be included in the Valley district cautioned ATSUM.

Lastly, ATSUM alleged that four recently adopted policy and programmes namely formation of Village Development Committee (VDC) replacing the traditional powers and functions of the Chiefs; introduction of New Land Use Policy (NLUP) which will ultimately diminish the role and functions of the traditional chiefs and Village Authorities, Right to Fair and Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 (30 of 2013) and Law and Legislative Affairs Department notification dated 3rd March, 2014 in appointment of Revenue Tribunals peeved the tribal people and felt betrayed.

Therefore, the four policy and programmes should all be kept on hold for wider consultation with all the stake holders, ATSUM warned.

ATSUM also urged the Governor to apprise the Central Government and the President of India on their grievances for which the Constitution of India has enshrined upon.

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