Meet endorses UPF's demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Kanggui, November 07, 2013: "United People's Front demanding Autonomous Hill State under the Provision of Article 244 A of the Constitution of India is viable and non-communal," maintained a resource person at the Consultative meeting held at Kanggui on Tuesday.

The Consultative meeting was organised by the Hill Peoples' Forum Manipur in which representatives of Kuki Inpi unit, chief assocations, members of ADC, Kangpokpi, Church leaders, students' organizations, village chiefs, youth clubs, women union/orgn.

within Sadar Hills attended apart from the general public.

LB Sona, chairman Zomi Council; K Vungzamawi, Dr John Pulamte and Ch Haujakam were the resource persons of the meet.

"The tribal peoples of Manipur's appetite or growth and keenness for a better life is not being met under the prevailing dispensation, particularly in present day Manipur", asserted LB Sona in his speech while adding that the present culture of announcing occasional development lollipops, accompanied by substantial political and administrative changes - is the root of the growing tribal dissatisfaction and discontent.

He continued that the remedy to all the problems of tribals people in Manipur from the tribal point of view lies in the creation of Autonomous Hill State under the non-communal Provision of Article 244 A of the Indian Constitution.

During his speech K Vungzamawi maintained that the Provision of Article 244 A of the Constitution of India can be extended to the entire North East including Manipur if the people desire.

He further illustrated that Article 244 A is specially designed for the tribal peoples for their constitutional protection; socio-economic, linguistic, cultural, infrastructural, and education development; to preserve their identity and rich traditional practices; to protect their rights over land and its reaources as well as maintain the territorial integrity and security of the state and nation thereby achieving durable peace and development.

Therefore, the legitimate demand of United People's Front for Autonomous Hill State within Manipur under the Provision of Article 244 A of the Indian Constitution is viable and non-communal, noted Vungzamawi.

Another resource person Ch Haujakam stressed the importance of truth and brotherly love among the tribal people in his speech.

He pointed out that due lack of brotherly love among the tribal people of Manipur and the absent of knowing the truth "we are in the present state of struggling and begging for unity, peace, development and running after the majority".

He also emphasized on significance of realizing the truth in time so as to be free - free from all unwanted hardhips while adding that only truth will make us free.

In the consultative meeting Sadar Hills District Working Committee has also been constituted and the committee were subsequently blessed by Rev Thangkholet Kipgen.

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