Zeliangrong bodies reiterate demand for resignation of MLAs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 08 2015 : Rejecting the repeated clarifications that the three Bills passed on Aug 31 do not impinge upon tribals' rights or interests, Zeliangrong frontal organizations like Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN), All Zeliangrong Students' Union (AMN), Zeliangrong Youth Front (AMN), Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur (ZSUM), have once again called for the resignation of all Zeliangrong MLAs including Dy CM Gaikhangam from the Assembly.

A joint statement issued by Zeliangrong frontal organizations ZB (AMN), AZSU (AMN), ZYF (AMN), ZSUM while accusing the three Zeliangrong MLAs of selling away the rights and land of the Zeliangrongs said that they (MLAs) have no rights to represent the Zeliangrong people in the Assembly.

A joint meeting of Zeliangrong frontal organizations ZB (AMN), AZSU (AMN), ZYF (AMN), ZSUM condemned the irresponsibility and the total sell out of the tribal rights by Dy CM Gaikhangam.

Instead of defending the rights of the tribal in Manipur, Dy CM has repeatedly stated that the three Bills do not infringe upon the tribals' interest, the joint statement alleged.

Gaikhangam is the head and in-charge of the Hills department of Manipur.

However, he is a stumbling block to the future development of all the tribal people of Manipur and Zeliangrong in particular, it said.

The MLR&LR Act 1960 has been extended even to Khoupum valley, Tamenglong district and other hills districts under his initiative contrary to the claim that the said Act is confined to the valley districts.

He attempted to extend the Act to Noney (Longmai) area but the local people strongly opposed tooth and nail, it said.

The same Act of MLR&LR Act 1960 was already extended to Chandel, Churachandpur and Sadar Hills, it pointed out.

Gaikhangam's repeated statement that the three Bills passed do not impinge upon tribal interests in Manipur is a blatant deception, the Zeliangrong bodies said.

Under the leadership of Gaikhangam and O Ibobi, Government of Manipur is working to ruin and make the HAC non-functional.

The procedural lapse in passing the three Bills was in fact the greatest mistake on the part of the tribal representatives particularly Zeliangrong MLAs.

They have committed an unpardonable blunder by trying to enforce Village Development Committee (VDC), New Land Use Policy, introduction of Common Land Law in total contravention to existing village authority and land ownership system.

They should have at least raised objection in the floor of the Assembly.

Any matter related to the tribal and the Hills districts should come through the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) but the present MLAs make the HAC non-functional.

In future, the legislators from the dominant community will take a reference from this instance and any matter related to the Hill districts will need no approval of the HAC.

That, it will be the gateway to permanently do away with the HAC, it said.

The three Bills recently passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly were least related to the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) demand of the valley people.

And doubt emerged when the Assembly passed three Bills mostly affecting the hill districts.

The total paralysis of the administration in the hills districts since August 31 was the result of "anti-tribal Bills" .

Janghemlung Panmei, MLA of Tamenglong AC is totally irresponsible for not attending the Assembly when the Bills were passed, it said.

Z Kikhonbou, MLA of Tamei AC , unable to represent his people and community effectively by failing to perform the assigned task given by the Government as chairman of a Sub-Committee to look into the Inter-District Boundaries under the rules 226 (1) (2) of the rules of procedure conduct of business on the June 13, 2015 regarding encroachment of land in the hill districts.

He should immediately resign as an MLA owning moral responsibility for his inability to secure his own district boundary directly affecting his constituency, the Zeliangrong bodies said.

The Dy CM, who is in-charge of the Hill dept and head of MPCC, should own up all the responsibilities in the loss of nine precious lives and injuring hundreds of protesters, it said.

All the ugly incidence and unprecedented violence could have been prevented had the incumbent tribal representatives consulted the civil societies leaders, intellectuals on the Bills related to the affairs of the Hills districts.

The clarification made by Dy CM Gaikhangam and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh that the Bills do not infringe on tribal rights is nothing but deceptive interpretations and only sounds silly.

The present situation of Manipur resembled the time of internal emergency in 1975 when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India that censored the press.

The Government of Manipur gags the freedom of expression by blocking internet.

Zeliangrong frontal organisations will defend the interest and rights of the tribal and Zeliangrongs, it added while demanding repeal of the anti-tribal Bills.

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