Tribal bodies endorse ATSUM bandh call
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 22 2021: Tribal bodies including units of Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) and Naga Students' Union Chandel (NSUC) have endorsed the 24-hour total shutdown in the hill districts of Manipur called by All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) from Sunday midnight in protest against failure of the government to table "The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill 2021, recommended by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in the ongoing Assembly Session.

In separate releases, KSO Chu-rachandpur, Moreh and Sadar Hills unit stated that non-tabling of the ADC Bill, 2021 in its ongoing Assembly session by the government while perversely and adamantly giving irrational statements is an insult and denial of the rights of the hill people enshrined under 371(C) of the Constitution of India.

The Bill is definitely a constitutional provision enshrined under 371 (C) .

However, the government just interpreted it with an ethnic communal tone favouring the majority community's sentiments unethically, they claimed and vowed to strictly enforce the total shut down in their respective areas.

Along with essential services, picking and dropping of air travellers with valid air ticket would be relaxed from 6 am to 8 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm, they said.

Meanwhile, KSO Sadar Hills expressed shocked over the government's attitude and said it felt betrayed for it once again exposed its majoritarian attitude, well-known for obstructing development in the hill areas.

KSO Sadar questioned the BJP-led government headed by chief minister N Biren if it is really interested in developing the hill areas or is simply giving lip service from time to time to gain political mileage.

It also reminded the state government that constantly obstructing the development of the hill areas, which is 90 per cent of the state geographical boundary, will further divide the hill-valley, which the present dispensation is claiming to have bridged.

It is a well-known fact that a large majority of the seats in the state's Legislative Assembly are occupied by the dominant Meitei community, and as such, the cabinet is also always in their control, it added.

On the other hand, NSUC stated that the proposed Bill was to be introduced and passed in the assembly but was disregarded by the government.

Therefore, the Union appealed to all the civic populace in NSUC covered areas to extend cooperation throughout the shutdown imposed by ATSUM as it will be strictly enforced within the jurisdiction of the Union, it added.

UKHRUL: Tahgkhul Katamnao Sakong (TKS) has expressed its support to the 24-hour total shutdown being called by All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM).

In a statement issued on Sunday, TKS said that it endorsed the shutdown call and urged the general public of the district to extend utmost cooperation in ensuring success of the same.

The apex students' body of the district said that it took serious note of the state government's hesitancy to table the bill recommended by the HAC.

"This has challenged the rights of the people of the hill districts guaranteed by the Article 381C of the Constitution,'' it said.

Meanwhile, TKS on Sunday evening made announcement on PA system in and around the township in connection with the proposed shutdown and appealed to the town residents for cooperation.

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