ATSUM toughens stand against tribal MLAs
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, August 30 2013 : Any tribal MLA who refuses to lend support to the tribal issues in Manipur to be declared as 'anti-tribals' by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) .

This decision was taken by leaders of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) who were camping in New Delhi since August 22.The ATSUM leaders informed this to NNN upon their arrival to Imphal today after meeting several tribal leaders based in the national capital.

According to ATSUM general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang, ATSUM leaders had met the New Delhi based Manipur Tribal Rights Forum, Delhi (MTRF-D) and had discussed issues confronting the tribal people in Manipur.

A memorandum each was also submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India.

Vareiyo Shatsang said, in the memorandum to the Prime Minister, ATSUM had urged for the re0organisation of assembly seats in Manipur on the basis of the latest population census and other consideration areas like cultural affinity and topographical proximity.

The ATSUM also mention in its memo to upgrade the six Autonomous District Councils at par with other ADCs of the North Eastern states.

It further urged to give special package for a period of not less than 25 years to accelerate developmental works in the hills and to catch up with other scheduled countered parts in Nagaland, Mizoram and elsewhere in the North East which are comparatively way ahead of the unfortunate tribal people living in Manipur in terms of education and development.

Finally, ATSUM urged the Prime Minister to set aside the demand put forward by Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) for more deliberations at the grass root level.

President of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) Muan Tombing, its general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang and others had camped in New Delhi meeting leaders of All India Tribal Students Federation (AITSF), Manipur Tribal Rights Forum, Delhi and many other civil organizations based in New Delhi.

"Except the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), no welfare laws are working in Manipur," said ATSUM leaders had said few days ago, adding, "The AFSPA is strictly implemented in Manipur for several decades now in spite of strong opposition from the people both in the hills and the valley" .

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