NPF for safeguard of tribal rights: Awangbow Newmai
Source: Chronicle News Service

KAKCHING, October 12 2021: Naga People's Front (NPF) has always stood to safeguard the rights of tribal and worked to ensure their welfare, said NPF Manipur president and Forest, Environment and Climate Change and Sericulture Minister Awangbow Newmai.

He made the statement during a one-day political conference organised by NPF Chandel Division at Chandel Christian Village Community Hall on Tuesday.

Awangbow said that under the Indian system, political parties play a key role in the law making process.

The existence of numerous outdated laws with regard to Manipur after attaining statehood is due to the political parties that the 20 tribal MLAs had joined.

All political parties have their own constitution, rules and ethics and no member is allowed to speak against the same.

Thus, the members cannot freely say what they want at time.

However, NPF was formed for the welfare of the tribal communities and it has always stood for acting in accordance with the provisions given under the Constitution with regard to the tribals or the general populace.

He continued that if the tribals do not properly convey their wants and preferences in time, they will continue to be deprived of the benefits.

NPF will work for ensuring that the benefits of Autonomous District Council and tribals are provided in time.

For this, the executive committee voiced its support for Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021, which was not done by any other political party.

There is no other political party except NPF which can bravely fight for the rights of tribals, he contended.

Awangbow then said that as the elections are nearing, we should not be influenced by money, the prowess of a national party or place out belief on some development works.

Tribals are not refugees and are not dependent on anyone.

We have the same right as all other communities in India.

Thus, we should abandon the mindset that our rights cannot be guaranteed if we are hot dependent on anyone, he said, while urging foi all concerned to extend their support to NPF in the upcoming polls.

In his speech, Hill Areas Committee chairman Leishiyo Keishing said that although the Indian Constitution has provisions for protecting the rights of tribals, the same has been denied in Manipur.

The Hill Areas Committee had prepared the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021 for protection of the land rights of tribals.

However, the state Assembly failed to pass the Bill as the many tribal MLAs refused to extend support to the same, he rued.

Leishiyo continued that the ADCs in other states are allocated separate budget by the Centre.

However, Manipur has been unable to receive the same due to circumstances.

Questioning how the hill-valley relationship could be affected if there is equal development in the hills and the valley, the Committee chairman said that the demand of the tribals is to have all their entitled benefits.

Portioning out only little benefits is useless, he said, while remarking that if such acts were to continue, there is no need to take part in "Go to Hills".

The Political Conference was attended by NPF State advisor and ex-MLA Victor Nunglhung; working presidents Robert T Maram, Paul Muinao; NPF Chandel Division president Langhu Starson, NPF 41-Chandel AC Unit president Sk Setoi Lamkang and others.

Later, Awangbow Newmai welcomed new members of the party, namely ADC ex-members Ch Meshil, Th Joy Lamkang, Ts Willingson, SR Volhring, MK Noah Chothe; ADC Chandel Education Department retired inspector TK Moshilpha; social workers Langhu Paulhring, WNG Kohfing and Ts Beton.

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