ATSUM refutes report
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 30 2013: Expressing 'shock' against The Sangai Express report with regard to the panel discussion on 'Meiteis demanding ST status' which was published on July 28, All Tribal Students' union Manipur (ATSUM) denounced the report as premature and misleading.

With particular reference to the panel discussion report that 'tribal people have no objction against granting ST status to the Meiteis, an ATSUM statement issued by its Information and Publicity secretary Micah Kamei contended that the ATSUM executive council had resolved to give out resolution of the panel discussion in consultation with the unanimous decision of the distinguished members present at the august meeting.

Therefore, quoting any statement from hearsay or from anyone unofficially without proper identification of the organisation is unethical in the realm of journalism, expressed the secretary adding that the panel discussion concluded by adopting three resolutions.

Negating the TSE report, the ATSUM statement highlighted that one of the resolutions included 'vehement opposition to the move of STDCM for tribal status of the meeteis'.

The other resolutions include formation of a core committee inclusive of members from various disciplines under the aegis of ATSUM at the earliest and referring all issues related to the administration of the hills to the Hill Area Committee Under 371 (c) to secure effective governance of the hill.

Affirming that ATSUM will strongly oppose any move of the STDCM as unanimously resolved by the tribal leaders at the panel discussion, the students' body also called upon the tribal representatives to raise their voice rather than being submissive under the stricture of their respective parties or interest.

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