Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 16, 2010:
The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has appealed to the Governt of Manipur and ANSAM and UNC to address the issues of economic blockade and elections to the District Councils and resolve them.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Joseph R Hmar, the apex tribal students body in Manipur said that ATSUM has been deeply concerned about the current agitation and the stand off between ANSAM and UNC on one hand and the Govt of Manipur on the other.
The agitation which started with the issue of District Council's 3rd Amendment Act and its subsequent election has affected all section of the people living in Manipur.
But it is unfortunate that the real reason behind launching agitation seems to have been sidetracked and that now the agitation has become the main issue, Joseph observed.
ATSUM added that Manipur has seen agitations of all sorts during the tenure of the present SPF Govt, both in the hills and the valley by civil societies against its policies and governance and the Govt had always adopted various methods to suppress these agitations.
However this is the first time that the Wanted tag has been announced against leaders of the agitation.
ATSUM condemns this offensive act of the Government and suggested the Government to immediate remove the wanted tag and the arrest warrant, Joseph said, adding that wanted tags against the presidents of UNC and ANSAM would not serve any purpose other than aggravating the situation.
Taking note of the media report that the Chief Minister is committed to amending the District Council Act, 2008 to give more power and autonomy to the District Councils, ATSUM has also demanded to how the Government intends to process with the amendment to fulfil the aspiration of the tribal people of Manipur.
As most of the Naga MLAs have resigned, the Hill Area Committee is not in a position to draft a new Bill/Act even if it is authorises, neither will the tribal people agree to another Select Committee, the student body said, adding that the Government must come out with a white paper in this regard.