JAC and ATSUM team leave for Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, October 07 2015: Despite the death of nine youths and over 50 people suffering various degrees of injuries after the Manipur Assembly passed three Bills that are seen as anti-tribal and normalcy yet to totally restored, a ten-member team of JAC Churachandpur and ATSUM today left for Delhi to call on the Central leadership including the President.

The JAC's move has been compelled by the unwavering attitude of the State Government, who has shown no sign or willingness to recall the Bills, nor repeal them or is open to insert any exceptional clause for the tribals, said a source.

Protesting the Bills, the public of Churachandpur had vandalised and burnt the houses of 5 MLAs, a Minister and an MP.

JAC members and others before the departure for Delhi

Besides, the district witnessed several other extreme forms of agitation and was reeling under total shutdown for weeks.

With the agitation enduring for more than a month now, normal life still remains a far cry as all kinds of activities have to be wound up before 2 pm.

The nine victims who have been declared 'tribal martyrs' are still awaiting their last-rite and Church bells have been silenced since to mourn their death.

The JAC and ATSUM team that left for Delhi will seek an appointment with the President of India and several other Central leaders along with leaders of Manipur Tribal Forum, Delhi.

Their mission and plans however have not been not announced to the public.

The JAC's move to open school, albeit till noon, met some opposition initially from the students' community but they are now hopeful to weather it through.

Accordingly, the JAC has today reiterated that the agitation will be relaxed from 5 am to 2 pm every day but maintained that other than some essential services there will be total bandh from 2 pm onwards.

Dharnas will continue as scheduled from 2 pm till 5 pm at the already identified dharna points, after which the village authorities and village committees will take over and make necessary adjustments to suit their local needs, it said.

Educational institutions that are allowed to hold classes till 12 noon will be overseen by the VAs of the localities and they have been fully authorised to take up any necessary action in case of any untoward incident, it added.

The JAC has also advised parents to drop and pick up their wards and to remain near the school, till the school hour is over.

They have above all, requested the general public to stand in solidarity with them and observe curfew and dharna timings in order to avoid unnecessary complications.

Meanwhile, National vice-president of the BJP ST Morcha Ramchand Nenya visited the hospital morgue early today at around 8 am and he is understood to have assured that the sufferings of the public will be surely highlighted before the party leadership.