KSO denounces ATSUM as 'pseudo'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, January 11 2013:
The revival of the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) continues to be a controversy with one of the principal federating bodies Kuki Students Organisation, General Headquarters (KSO-Ghq) reacted strongly today to the present tribal students' body as 'pseudo' ATSUM.
"It is really unfortunate for the tribal students in particular and the tribal people in general that,despite repeated suggestions and advices to the pseudo All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) headed by some vested interest persons to immediately halt working in the name of ATSUM remain unheard.
ATSUM from its existence has been highly regarded by one and all.However the present formation/coup de tat of ATSUM has made the union a clown, as it is not childish where one could use for personal gain," Mangcha Baite, vice president of KSO-GHq (administration) said today.
Mangcha Baite then recalled that ATSUM speaker Emboi Serto on November 3 last year had already clarified through the state media saying, "It is very unfortunate that Joint Committee Hill Districts Students' Organisation (JCH-DSO) has come out with a press statement claiming that All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has been revived," he further states that "ATSUM executives remain disbanded due to some internal misunderstanding and to revive again needs the consent of the two apex tribal students' bodies�All Naga Students' Association, Mani-pur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students' Organisation-General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) as practice conventionally".
"As caretaker of ATSUM has no authority to administer oath of office to a new ATSUM team without the consent of ANSAM and KSO as well as the five federating units.
With regard to the revival of ATSUM and to clear the misunderstanding there will be a wider consultation with all the stake holders shortly" .
As such, the KSO from the beginning of this ATSUM formation had made its stance clear to the public that it will never be a party to this ATSUM unlike the past so many years, and for the cause of tribal unity and to preserve the integrity of ATSUM and re-install the genuine ATSUM till date the KSO along with the senior Naga student leaders have been working tirelessly, the KSO leader claimed.
According to Mangcha Baite, KSO has also been working ceaselessly in tribal interest and will always be, however the recent declaration of 24 hours state wide general strike called by this ATSUM starting from 18th midnight will never be observed but rather opposed by the KSO.
"We are much aware of tribal people being deprived and discriminated in the state but taking advantage of the situation by a dubious ATSUM is much more unfortunate," Mangcha Baite added.