Imphal, August 25 2009: A consultative meeting of the apex tribal bodies in Senapati district was held at Kangui Christian College, Kangpokpi today and discussed issues related to escalating violent incidents of killing people in the State and decision of the State Government to deploy commandos and IRB personnel in the hill districts.

Organised jointly by Citizens' Concern Committee of Sadar Hills ADC and Senapati ADC, Manipur, the consultative meeting was attended by representatives of social apex bodies of Senapati district, women leaders, student activists and chiefs of various villages.

Participating in the meeting, president of Kangpokpi Women's Welfare Union Hechil maintained that citizens of Manipur whether they are living in the hills or the valley districts are being subjected to various atrocities under the guise of imposing Armed Forces Special Powers Act and counter insurgency operation.

The security forces have not even spared the National workers of Kuki and Naga groups who have given up arms and signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Government, he rued.

Ex-president of Paomei Tribe Union Markson observed that the Government of Manipur occasionally take decisions which are against the interest of the people and never concedes to the public demands until calling of bandh and blockade.

Citing the example of the demand of the Senapati public for improvement of the condition of National Highway 39, Markson said Government should not wait for bandh and blockade to consider the rightful demands of the people.

He further said that the deployment of commandos and IRB in the hill districts would disturb the normal life of the people.

Inspite of the stiff opposition, the Government is trying to go ahead with deployment of commandos and IRB in the hill districts.

Former secretary of KBC Church Y Haokip noted that to ensure basic rights to womenfolk of tribal communities, it is high time to being about a change in the role of the men and the women.

In connection with the consultative meeting, Peter Kuki of Citizens' Concern Committee informed that based on the feedbacks received during the meeting, a memorandum would be submitted to President of India Pratibha Patel.

The copy of the memorandum would also be forwarded to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Opposition leader LK Advani, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Opposition leader in the State O Joy.

Comment