ATSUM set to begin stir from June 3
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, May 31 2013 : Even as one faction of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) who claimed to have revived the apex tribal students' body is all set to begin its agitation from June 3, the other faction of ATSUM under the banner of 'Interim Body' has dismissed the former and all set to revive ATSUM by conducting election of the students' body to have new mandated ATSUM by June.

Yesterday, the 'Interim Body' of ATSUM had its third 'consultative meeting' at Senapati reportedly participated by over 70 persons drawn from present and past ATSUM leaders, well wishers, tribal apex body leaders, intellectuals from all hill districts and deliberated on the revival and reformation of ATSUM.

The meeting after a threadbare deliberation on the report presented by members of the 'Interim Body' on their efforts for reconciliation on the present imbroglio.

As there is no positive response from these efforts till date the members present finally and unanimously decided to recommend the dissolution of the present Interim Body and go for a fresh and democratic election by instituting an 'election commission' with W Shinglai (former ATSUM) general secretary as the chief election commissioner, Dailord (ex-general secretary of Poumai Naga Union) as returning officer, Apao Haokip (former ATSUM general secretary) as presiding officer.

Emboi Serto (ex-ATSUM speaker), Joseph R Hmar (ex-ATSUM spokesman), P Simte (former president of KSO-GHQ), Robert T Maram (ANSAM ex-general secretary), Tonghen Kipgen (ex-KSO president) and Tolkham Maring (former NSUC advisor) as members of the 'election commission' of ATSUM, according to the Interim Body of ATSUM.

The Interim Body of ATSUM then said, "It is unfortunate that the name of CDSU has been continuously dragged in by some individuals in the present ATSUM imbroglio in an attempt to furtherance their interest.

It is good to know here that 5 out of the 9 constituent units of CDSU namely HSA (Hmar), MZP (Mizo), Zillai (Vaiphei), KRSU (Komrem) and TKSU (Thadou-Kuki) have abruptly withdrawn from CDSU immediately after the so called bogus formation of ATSUM.

The main reason of this withdrawal was because of this unscrupulous formation of ATSUM by covertly using the CDSU without the approval of its parent bodies and existing executives.

Withdrawal of 5 constituent units out of 9 that formed CDSU was in fact a gentleman's protest.

The five tribes' students' bodies could have rather hold on the office and the union if they so desire," Interim Body of ATSUM stated.

The revived ATSUM today accused the 'Interim Body' of ATSUM as a group of student activists that had fallen prey to some 'electoral vote scavengers', the Interim Body of ATSUM accused the former which had come into being after the 'bogus formation of ATSUM' and declares it as unmandated, null and void.

On the other hand, the 'revived' ATSUM said that it can no longer be a party to those group (Interim Body of ATSUM) that is serving some selfish and unscrupulous politicians.

"Nothing is permanent but change itself is.

History has taught that whoever as a group or individual is receptive to new ideas prevails.

We would like to remind that All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) is exclusively formed to address issues pertaining to the Nagas particularly.

So also, the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) no doubt is formed to perpetuate the interest of the Kukis.

We have a regard for this to the two tribal students' bodies for what they had then in the service of their communities in particular and the society as a whole.

However, it is also a reality that the hill areas of Manipur is populated by different ethnic groups having different aspirations.

The need of consolidating all these tribal groups has become a matter of necessity now than ever," the revived ATSUM president Muan Tombing and its general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang said today.

"ATSUM is the only platform where all these indigenous peoples or tribals can come and pursue their interest concertedly.

More so, because we are tribals mostly Christians under the same political situation.

It is the paramount objective of ATSUM to give a common vision and to mobilise a concerted effort by the logic of one for all and all for one.

It is therefore, unfortunate that some student leaders have come out in the local dailies saying this present ATSUM is not mandated.

We would like to remind everyone that TKS, ZSUM, CDSU, MUTSU, ACTSOM, IDF and many others have endorsed our movement to be begun from June 3," they claimed.

"So, given this picture, what kind of mandate they are talking about?," the present ATSUM questions.

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