Many condemn Churachandpur killings
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2015: The Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) has strongly condemned the alleged Manipur Govt's 'communal security forces' for killing several persons and inflicting serious injuries to many others in Churachandpur district who have been launching democratic protest against the passing of three Bills with procedural lapse by the State Assembly on Aug 31 .

A statement issued by Titus Kamei, president, ZYF said the security forces personnel who could not face unruly mob and shrink away seeing the women's phanek (clothes) stringing over the roads in Imphal valley districts never hesitated to spray live bullets on tribal people whenever tribal people expressed their discontentment in any issue which affects their rights and interests.

The incident at Churachandpur has once again exposed the State Govt's two rules policy of "one for tribal people and another for non tribal" as "shooting with live bullets" for tribal people and "personnel of security forces to run away" from protesters when it comes to non-tribal.

Besides accidental killing of one protester with tear gas shell, not a single person was killed intentionally during the two-month long public protest demanding ILPS in the valley even as their was total chaos.

In contrast, as many as seven persons were killed and many have been inflicted with serious injuries at Churachandpur in just two days public protest against the 'anti-tribal' policy, ZYF said.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) too much eager to remain in power for the remaining period of the current term has done irreparable damage to the social fabrics of Manipur, it said.

Too much loyalty to party particularly by tribal Congress legislators have now created complete turmoil and cost eight precious lives with several persons left critically injured.

The tribal representatives who are supposed to protect the rights and interest of the tribal people have participated and involved in the discrimination policy propagated in the State Assembly.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee and Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in particular who are the Members of the "Hill Areas Committee" should have asked the Assembly to refer the proposed "Bills" to the "Hill Areas Committee" for discussion before any final shape is done and passed as per the mandatory rules and Constitutional procedures.

However, all these procedures were overlooked without valid reason which is in fact unconstitutional, ZYF said.

Therefore, the Governor of Manipur instead of giving his assent to such Bills with procedural lapse should refer it to "Hill Areas Committee" for re-discussion which would eradicate confusion and overcome the trust deficit situation among the people, it suggested.

North East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) deeply condemned the merciless killing of eight people and injuring of many in Churchandpur district by the State forces.

In a statement, Hem Chandra Brahma, media coordinator, NEFIS said that in a highly divisive move the Manipur Legislative Assembly passed three anti-tribal community bills without any consultation and discussion with the tribal communities of Manipur.

Several people were killed in a general strike called by tribal students' organizations against the Bills.

This repression by the State Government on the tribal community is not only an attack on democratic values but it also reflects the marginalization of tribals in the decision making, it said.

There is deep insecurity within the tribal communities who are also under-represented in the Legislative Assembly.

NEFIS demanded that the Bills be withheld and immediately stopped from implementation and should follow with wide ranging discussion on the issue.

Protection of rights of tribal communities is the litmus test of democracy which the Manipur Government has failed to pass till date.

No bill with an impact on the lives and condition of tribals should be passed without taking into confidence the common populace of hills, it added.

The Kuki Senior Citizens' Welfare Forum, Manipur condemned the attitude of the Govt of Manipur for allegedly not paying any heeds to the incidents, including killing of several persons, at Churachandpur.

In a statement, KSCWF said that the interests of other parties are not considered by the Govt in accepting the demand to make 1951 as cutoff base year.

The KSCWF urged all concerned to review the adoption of 1951 as cutoff base year in the new Bill.

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