MTUB bats for centralized leadership for tribal issues
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, November 12 2015: The Manipur Tribals' Union, Bangalore (MTUB) has decided to form a centralized leadership or committee amongst the newly formed JACs/committees/forums/unions at various Indian cities over various tribal issues including the alleged three 'anti-tribal Bills' today.

A press communiqu� signed by G Liana Vaiphei, President, MTU-Bangalore said that the union was formed on September 1 by Zomi Youth Association, Bengaluru (ZYA-B), Thadou Students' Association, Bengaluru (TSA-B), Hmar Students' Association, Bengaluru (HSA-B), Kuki Students' Organization, Bengaluru (KSO-B), etc.

to strive for the development and welfare of all the tribals of Manipur living in Namma Bengaluru.

He continued that in the aftermath of the passing of the three infamous 'anti-tribal Bills' by the Govt.of Manipur in its Special Assembly on August 31, people's movement began and MTUB unanimously resolved to take part in the 'People's Movement' against the three Bills.

Subsequently, a mass protest against the killing of nine tribals and a demand for a separate tribal administration in Manipur was held at Freedom Park, Bangalore on September 4, he added.

He further said that a memorandum was submitted to the President of India; Prime Minister of India, the Governor of Manipur through the Governor of Karnataka, Chairperson, All India Congress Committee and the Chief Minister of Manipur.

MTU-Bangalore held a marathon discussion while considering all the newly formed JACs/committees/forums/unions at various Indian cities as stakeholders and proposed to form a centralized leadership/committee amongst them, Vaiphei added.

He also said that a meeting was called on September 22 at Delhi for the formation of the centralized committee after preliminary positive responses from all the committees which was attended by Committee for Protection of Manipur Tribals, Pune; Manipur Tribals' Union, Chennai; Manipur Tribals' Students' Union, Kolkata; Manipur Tribals' Forum, Vishakhapatnam and Manipur Tribals' Union, Bengaluru.

However, it had decided to have another meeting with Manipur Tribals' Forum, Delhi (MTFD) due to the absence of few stakeholders including JAC Churachandpur, which could not participate in the meeting due to the visits of Central Observer, Ashok Prasad, Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA, Govt of India to Churachandpur town, it added.

It further said that in a meeting with MTFD, it had been resolved to assign to the MTFD to call a tribal conclave at the earliest for the centralized committee but no sign of the conclave matters is initiated and there has been no communitcation from the MTFD till date.

Nevertheless, MTUB and few other forums/committees/unions still feel the dire need for centralization of all the JACs/Forums/Committees/Unions/etc.

with the primary aim of strengthening the people's movement, G Liana Vaiphei added.

He further said that without forming a centralized committee the unity of all tribals of Manipur and the primary objective of the ongoing people's movement cannot be streamlined and this could lead to nowhere and could eventually turn into a regional/community issue.

In such a scenario, people's trust in the JAC will erode and external pressures will mount on the leaders from the Govt, UGs, etc.

he added.

Comment