Zeliangrong bodies flay
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2015 : Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam's assertion that he would not resign under pressure and without the directive of party high command despite committing a grave mistake, is quite absurd and exposed his adamant attitude and complete dishonour to the sentiments and voices of the people, Zeliangrong bodies like ZB (AMN), ZYF, AZSU and ZSUM have said.

The demand for tendering resignation on moral ground raised by the tribal people to all the tribal MLAs was due to complete failure on their part to safeguard and protect the Constitutional rights, interest and sentiments of the tribals, said a joint statement issued by Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN), Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF), All Zeliangrong Students' Union (AMN) and Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) .

The peoples' demand has already been complied by some of the MLAs by showing deep respect to the voices and sentiments of the people.

The Zeliangrong people hail the bold steps of four NPF MLAs and Congress MLA Ginsuanhau Zou for tendering their resignations.

The resignation of Ginsuanhau Zou, without the directive of party high command, is a testimony that the voice of the people is more important than the directive of the party high command, it said.

It is very unfortunate that Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam showed party supremacy over the voices of the people who mandated him.

There have been instances when the rights of the tribal people have been infringed upon by enacting various Acts, Rules and Laws in the past.

The powerless ADC Act, 2008 is one glaring example, it pointed out.

The tribal people's legitimate and Constitutional rights are in peril despite the presence of the senior most tribal representative and members of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in the State Assembly.

The Govt of India built a house called " Manipur State" in 1972 with rooms for different "categories and sections".

But the State Govt at the behest of majority peoples' representatives attempted to remove the partitions by passing three anti-tribal Bills in the interest of a single community on August 31. The tribal peoples' representatives participated in passing the three anti-tribal Bills thereby leading to the loss of nine precious lives and causing serious injuries to many in Churachandpur district.

In such a situation, the Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam trying to justify his grave mistake by passing irresponsible comments amounts to pouring fuel to fire.

His irresponsible assertion and comments show his desperate attempt to remain in the chair, dishonouring the people's voice and sentiment.

He is also trying to mislead the public, the Zeliangrong bodies said.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam is one of the architects of the powerless ADC Act, 2008, which rendered the councils completely dependent on the State Govt, it said.

Attempt to enforce the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) and others in the hills could not materialize due to strong objection from the tribals.

MLR & LR Act, 1960 is now extended to his native village and surrounding villages of Khoupum valley, all ZEO schools within the jurisdiction of Khoupum valley are kept under the jurisdiction of Bishnupur ZEO instead of Tamenglong ZEO, it said.

Monthly quota of K-oil for villages of Khoupum valley is allocated to an agency in Bishnupur.

The time and opportunity has come for tribal people to see and identify who are the real tribal people representatives and who are proxy representatives, it added.

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