Bodies state stand on tribal colony
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 16 2022:
Kuki Students' Organisation-General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), the apex student bodies of Kukis and Nagas in the state, have expressed deep concern regarding the incident that took place on May 9 at Tribal Colony, wherein four people were reportedly seriously injured.
"We condemned the incident in the strongest terms for the violation of rights of the tribal people," a joint statement of the organisations said on Monday.
According to the bodies, the residents of Tribal Colony have always conveyed to the government that they are not averse to the idea of development and welcome the government's plan to construct new multi-storeyed buildings to accommodate more tribal employees.
"However, they have asked for an alternative arrangement to house the 187 occupants/employees/residents during the interim period before the new construction and completion of the same", the joint statement said.
According to the two, following a show cause notice for eviction served on December 24, 2020, the residents had filed a PIL (Writ Appeal No 11 of 1993) in the High Court and the latter consequently issued an Interim Order WP(C) No.345 of 2021, dated 29-10-2021 which maintained that the petitioners (residents) should not be disturbed without an alternative arrangement by the government.
However, KSO and ANSAM said that no such alternative arrangement has been made available by the state government till date, "and instead, the government attempts to bulldoze the residents".
Such an action of the government towards the tribals is a stark violation of the stated interim order of the High Court, the two bodies added.
In addition, the government has cut off the drinking water supply pipelines and electricity connection besides threatening the local population by indiscriminately firing teargases and rubber bullets inside the occupied quarters.
The Tribal Colony situated at New Checkon has a deep-rooted legacy in the lives of many tribal people of the state as it has served the welfare of the tribal employees for the last over 60 years, said KSO and ANSAM.
They also said that the colony was established in the 1960s exclusively as residential quarters of Grade-IV tribal government servants and employees.
Presently, it accommodates about 187 families and 9 churches, the two bodies stated.
"Considering these facts and circumstances, KSO-GHQ and ANSAM demand the government to seriously consider four points before initiating any new construction at the Tribal colony.
One of the points is to uphold the Interim order of the High Court (dated 29-10-2021) and refrain from disturbing the residents unless an alternative arrangement is made for them to relocate.
"The second point is to uphold the Supreme Court Order dated 29-09-2009 and 16-02-2010 by regularisation or relocation of the nine religious structures as the case may be.
The third point is to ensure that Tribal Colony retains its name and remains exclusively for housing "tribal government servants" or employees without deviating from the initial policy of the government.
The fourth point is to immediately restore the drinking water supply and power connection to the locality.
"We urge all the tribal legislators to immediately take cognizance of the situation and help to safeguard tribal rights properly", ANSAM and KSO-GHQ conveyed.
Lastly, KSO-GHQ and ANSAM urged the government to own responsibility for the four injured people who are undergoing treatments in the hospitals and cover their medical bills and pay additional compensations.
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