'Foreigners' tag given by MYSEA, IMF ; Tribal bodies flay, demand apology
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 26 2015 :
Maring Students Union, Anal Students' Union, Aimol Students' Union, Manipur, Thadou Students' Association, Chandel and Naga Students' Union, Chandel have demanded unconditional apologies from Meitei Youth Front, South East Asia (MYFSEA) and International Meitei Forum (IMF) in addition to withdrawing their statement.
The students' bodies stated that the statement of the two Meitei organizations dubbing the tribals of the State as "Foreigners" has hurt the sentiments of the tribal populace and it will hamper the efforts of many valley based civil organizations advocating peace and unity for peaceful co-existence in the State.
How come any responsible CSO or individuals of valley consider the tribals of the State who have been living with them since time immemorial as 'Foreigner', questioned the students' bodies in a joint press release.
They have also pledged support to the ongoing blockade of the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) .
Meanwhile, ZSUM and Inpui Students' Union (ISU) have also strongly condemned the provocative statement tagging some tribal community as foreigners.
Questioning whether ATSUM should be allowed to run its office in Imphal or not is something to be viewed seriously, said a joint press release.
Counter blockade launched at the backdrop of the demand for transfer of land records and reservation of quotas is not a good sign for peaceful co-existence of all communities.
Referring to a statement published on 25/6/2015 and 26/6/2015 in some English local dailies, the two student bodies said that they are compelled to hand out this press communique to abstain from abetting proxy war amongst communities.
"The charter of demands put forth by ATSUM is a concerted effort to address some of our grievances and not to harass any section of people as projected in the statement of the two organisations.
"While re-committing our selfless endeavour for welfare of the tribal community, we once again reaffirm co-operation to ATSUM during the entire course of the sustained agitation", they said.
They appealed to the two organisations (IMF and MYF-SEA) to withdraw the statement which called some tribal communities as 'Foreigners' as well as the statement questioning how ATSUM functions from its office at Imphal.