Imphal, November 05: Information Minister TN Haokip has stated that along with striving for the rights and privileges of the tribal people, the tribal students should also remember their corresponding duties.

Speaking at the oath taking cum charge handing over ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) held at Hotel Imphal here today, Haokip pointed out that tribal people in general are yet to self educate/realise themselves on various issues.

While stressing that the activities of ATSUM should always aim towards the self realisation of the tribal people and bring them together on the path to development, the Minister noted that many of the tribal students are still lagging behind others when it comes to education on subject related to the sciences.

Therefore it would be imperative on the part of ATSUM to facilitate special coaching classes for tribal students who are weak in subjects like science and mathematics, he suggested, adding that students who score highest marks in these subjects in their examination should also be encouraged with awards and incentives.

The newly elected office bearers of ATSUM for the term 2006-08 were administered oath of office and secrecy by Election Commissioner of the student body Haopu Khongsai and MBC youth secretary Rev Stephen Touthang performed blessing prayer for them.

The newly elected office bearers are Dr John Pulamte (president), Richard M Haokip ( vice president), Thomas Taishya (gen secy), Apao Haokip (assist gen secy), Janglim Khongsai (secy finance), Joseph Hmar (secy information), Rolly Leivon (secy environment) and Apam (secy education).

They were elected during the ATSUM election held at Kangpokpi on Oct 24. In his first address as newly elected president of ATSUM, Dr John Pulamte charged elected tribal leaders, politicians and bureaucrats with neglecting the tribal people.

Despite settlement covering over 90 percent of the total geographical area and comprising one-third of the total population of the State, tribal people have been living in abject state of underdevelopment because of negligent attitude of these elected leaders, representatives, politicians and bureaucrats who only think of their own interest and benefit, he said.

Maintaining that protracted delay in implementation of Manipur Hill Areas District Councils Act of 1971 and Rules of 1972 is akin to suppression of the rights of the tribal people, Dr John contended that there are also some discrepancies in the sections and clauses in the amendment bill, 2006 of the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in posts and Services (SC/ST) Act, 1976 passed by the Government in September this year.

On the issue of implementation of Meetei Mayek, the newly elected president categorically stated that AT-SUM respects the efforts made to revive the indigenous script of any community, but imposition of Meetei Mayek on the tribal people could not be accepted.

ATSUM would extend its support to the agitation of CDSU in the true spirit of the agreement reached with the Govt on implementation of Meetei Mayek, he added.

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