ANSAM takes drive to Saikul
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 08, 2013:
The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) in its initiative and part of its 'Journey towards Grass � Roots' under the theme 'My Land, My Identity, Walking the Peripherals' stepped up with the second phase of its 'struggle' at Saikul Sub-division under Senapati district which is a sensitive area.
The Naga students' body has been undertaking this journey as there have been constant threats to the tribal peoples' land and natural resources from both state and non-state agencies through various backdoor methods, according to ANSAM.
According to ANSAM president Seth Satshang, the Naga students' body is compelled to take up this 'journey' as there have been constant threats to "our lands and our natural resources" both from state and non-state agencies through 'various backdoor methods'.
According to the ANSAM chief, the student body is working hard meeting people in this regard.
"Today, our rights, our lands and our resources exist due to the fierce struggle we have collectively put forward," said Seth Satshang.
He also said, "Since its inception ANSAM has been relentlessly and consistently working towards its objective alongside with other organisations".
Meanwhile, the ANSAM team led by its president Seth Shatshang and comprising of 30 members coming from different directions of the state gathered for the campaign at Tunoupokpi village ground under Senapati district and stepped up for the auspicious work after having blessed in prayers by Rev..HApila, Executive Secretary of the Thangal Naga Baptist association (TNBA).
The team firstly inspected Makeng village, now called Seijang village and inhabited by the kuki community.
According to the Naga students' body, the then Makeng village which was inhabited by Thangal community had 70 households before the Kuki-Naga ethnic conflict which broke out in the state in the 1990s. The Thangals, fearing the conflict, had fled the village and settled near Senapati district headquarters under three villages namely T.Ngaihang, Makeng Cheijinba and Karong Mankeng.
After the Thangals had fled the village, the kuki community came and started settling in the village and named it as Seijang village, said the villagers.
The history of the Seijang village was told by one K.Gongrisim who is the president of Thangal Anlienao Jonlong (TAJ) at a meeting of the team at the house of Seijang village headman who gave his blessings to the ANSAM team so that they can be successful in uniting the Nagas and Kukis in the state as one.
The next stop of the team was Thangal Surung village under Senapati district, which upon meeting with the village headman learnt of the Thangal people being cornered and made a minority community in the area.
The headman also told that the reasons for the discrimination are due to the issues of land encroachment by the majority groups.
He blessed and appreciated the ANSAM team for giving the community a channel to voice their needs in the state dominated by majorities.
The team also inspected Mapou Thangal village which falls under Senapati district and ended at Mapou Khullen village inhabited by Tangkhul community.
The headman of Mapou Khullen, blessing the team appreciated the innovative step taken up by ANSAM and appealed to the students' body to look into the needs and grievances of the villagers often as the village being a sensitive area and prone to danger.
The ANSAM team took photos along with the people of the villages they have toured.
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