Protesting Bills drafted for protection of indigenous people Tribal student bodies' call 12 hrs total bandh
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, August 30 2015 : The Kuki Students' Organi-zation (GHQ), the All Naga Students' Association Mani-pur and both ATSUM groups have jointly called a 12 hrs bandh in all hill districts of the State with effect from 6 am tomorrow.

A joint press commu-niqu� signed by Seiboi Hao- kip, general secretary KSO-GHQ, Alexander Huten, general secretary ANSAM, Maun Tombing, president ATSUM and Joseph R.Hmar, acting president ATSUM said that the 12 hrs bandh has been called against the introduction of the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops & Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the special session of the Mani-pur Assembly on August 28 .

It continued that the said bills overlap Article 371C and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act, 1947 .

Various tribal organizations have made known the Government regarding their stands on many occasions, the joint press communique further added.

While holding the State Government and the Hill Areas Committee responsible for any problematic circumstances that may arise from the agitation, the tribal student bodies also warned that when the tribal rights are threatened by this way of systematic infringement they [the tribal people] will not remain silent spectators.

Mentioned may be made that, various tribal bodies including KSO, ANSAM and ATSUM have released several press statements separately in the past few days concerning their total resentment over the three Bills and the agreement signed between the State Government and the leaders of JCILPS on August 25 .

However, the three Bills were introduced in the special session of the Manipur Assembly on August 28 but the tribal people are apprehensive that the three bills will directly or indirectly affect the tribal interest.

It is being speculated that the three Bills will be passed tomorrow.

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