CCpur death toll reaches 8 : Repeal Bills or add exceptional clause: JAC
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, September 03 2015: The death toll in the violent protest witnessed here following the passing of three Bills that are seen as anti-tribal has reached 8 as a 48 year-old-man succumbed to injuries today while the JAC that has been spearheading the agitation called for immediate repeal of the three Bills or insertion of an exceptional clause in the interest of the tribals.

Meanwhile, a violent mob again burnt down the offices of SDO, Churachandpur and the District Employment Exchange while Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing's residence was vandalised for the second time.

Addressing the media today, the JAC has urged the Chief Minister to either repeal the three Bills passed on Au-gust 31 or insert an excep- tional clause for the tribal people of Manipur immediately.

People holding a meeting at Churachandpur

The JAC also submitted a representation to the CM conveying their demands.

'The spontaneous reaction of the tribals against the recently passed Bills �PMP Bill; the MLR & LR (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015; and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amend- ment) Bill � once again, signifies the deep divide between the tribal and non-tribal or the valley and the hill areas,' the JAC said.

"The violent reaction and subsequent loss of lives and properties is unfortunate, yet it is the only option to express our displeasure against the anti-tribal policy of the Government.

Thus, the said Bills must be either repeal or an exceptional clause be inserted for the tribal of Manipur immediately", said the JAC.

The JAC also stated that the supreme sacrifices made by 8 innocent tribals for the survival of their fellow tribal is no less precious than (L) Robinhood and consequently called for the institution of an independent judicial enquiry with an appropriate action immediately.

'Until then all the dead bodies should not be claimed,' it added.

Payment of appropriate ex-gratia to the families of the dead victims and Government jobs besides compensation for the injured persons was another demand raised by the JAC in its memo to the Chief Minister.

The JAC in their press briefing announced the relaxation of their agitation for 5 hours - 5am till 10am � tomorrow while maintaining that all essential services including medical, power, water supply, media, banks and religious activities will remain outside the purview of the agitation throughout the day.

They also announced a sit-in-protest for selective group of women in an attempt to avoid mob violence that has at times threatened to divert their attention.

Earlier in the day, womenfolk in thousands thronged the public ground here to join the protest against the passing of the Bills that are seen as anti-tribal.

Leaders from ANSAM, KSO Ghqs and ATSUM besides the JAC and Tribal Chiefs Forum called for unity of the State tribal irrespective of their affiliations.

ANSAM president Seth Satshang while addressing the gathering said that the student bodies will always stand for tribal unity in the State and confided that unless the tribal of Manipur are united even the Naga Peace Accord may not be a meaningful one.

He also called on other tribal districts to emulate the sacrifices made by the people of Churachandpur for tribal unity.

Other leaders who addressed the gatherings said they are with them today not just for honouring the martyrs but also to dream and realised the aspirations of Manipur tribals.

Earlier in the day, a mob initially attempted to attack the Police Station but as womenfolk blocked them for hours they had retreated but only to burn down the SDO offices and employment exchange office that are located in close proximity at around 3 pm.

Security personnel on duty fired several rounds to stop the arson attempt but the mob remained undeterred and ran over the security personnel and burnt the two offices.

Meanwhile, another mob again attacked the house of Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing at around 6.30pm.The already smouldered and blackened building was scrubbed by his relatives a day earlier but their act had apparently infuriated the group that launched a second arson today.

The mob had thrown on the streets anything they could get hold of from the house and set them aflame on the road.

There are also reports of some people targeting the residences of some ADC members but no damage was reported so far.

Village Authority members in some localities have since today stationed guards at some of the residences that are considered to be high on their targets while others have imposed public curfew in order to avoid further arson or unwanted incidents.