Tribal student assaulted for refusing to take part in pro-ILPS protest
Condemnations pour in from ATSUM, TSA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2016 : The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) and Thadou Students' Association (TSA), Imphal have strongly condemned the alleged ill-treatment meted out to a Class XI tribal student of TG Higher Secondary School by some students and teachers over not participating in a pro-ILPS agitation.

In a statement, ATSUM said that they are deeply saddened and irked by the 'hostile' incident of July 25 wherein one Class XI tribal student of the school was allegedly verbally abused and beaten up by some girl students when she refused to join a pro-ILPS agitation.

The students' body further alleged that the Principal of the school warned two other tribal girls who went to stop the girls who were verbally abusing and assaulting the innocent tribal girl.

Further, it is very unfortunate to learn that the Principal and teachers of the school verbally abused the representatives of Joint Tribal Students' Union, Imphal (tribal students of five Government Higher Secondary Schools of Imphal) when they met the teachers and Principal yesterday.

The tribal students of the school were even told not to attend classes anymore, ATSUM alleged.

Considering the current impasse which results in huge socio-economic losses of the State, every right thinking citizen of the State must understand that this is a crucial time to end/resolve the unrest through consensual approach from different stakeholders of the hills and valley.

However, such precious time of reconciliation would be wasted/exhausted in no time without serving any purpose if such incidents of discriminating tribal people especially in educational institutions continue, ATSUM observed.

ATSUM is in favour of protecting the indigenous people of the State, but not at the expense of the tribals.

ATSUM said, "The interest of the tribal people has to be respected as we also respect the interest of our valley brethren" .

As such, ATSUM feels that if such a discriminating campaign is followed by the majority community in its process towards enacting a new Bill, it would end in nothing tangible but failure and ultimately enhance further rift between the hills and valley.

Meanwhile, Thadou Students' Association (TSA), Imphal said that they have been observing the incident calmly and carefully.

In a statement, TSA-Imphal said that JCILPS Students' Wing had violated and denied the rights of those students who refused to participate in the agitation.

It added that the incident had greatly hurt the sentiments of the tribal people as the tribal student was allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted.

TSA-Imphal questioned why the teachers of TG Higher Secondary School allegedly ordered her not to come to the school yesterday.

Urging the school authority to look into the problems and inconveniences faced by the tribal students in the school seriously, TSA-Imphal demanded action against all those 'communal' students and teachers at the earliest.

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