ATSUM to join hands with CCpur JAC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 17 2016:
The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has announced its decision to join hands with the JAC against 'Anti-Tribal' Bills in observing a mass prayer cum release of 200 flying lanterns as a homage and tribute to nine 'tribal martyrs' on the occasion of the 200th day of 'relentless struggle for the tribal cause' .
While appealing to tribal civil organisations to avoid antagonising each other but to give a concerted effort to achieve what the tribals aspire, ATSUM in a statement, reminded the State Government to secure and safeguard the interest of all its citizens without bias and prejudice.
It will only be to the loss of the State if State laws are allowed to be enacted in the interest of the majority community, ATSUM said.
ATSUM's position in this respect is clear, it said while adding that provisions of Article 371 C were violated in passing the three Bills last August besides bypassing the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) .
This issue, along with the issue of killings of the 9 'tribal Martyrs' by the State law enforcing agency should be resolved and justice be delivered at the earliest.
It further pledged to take up more drastic steps with other like-minded civil bodies in the interest of peace and justice if tribals' voice is not listened to.
To this end, the SPF Government in the State and NDA in the Centre should try to resolve the impasse, ATSUM demanded.
Had the ugly episode that occurred in Churachandpur (Lamka) on August 31 and September 1, 2015 taken place at the heart of the valley areas, the imbroglio wouldn't have remained unresolved for this long, it added.