Imphal, October 02 2010: Expressing concern over alleged undue interference of the Manipur State Government in the current census operation by the enumerators and supervisors, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has strongly condemned overlapping, alteration, modification and cancellation of census of tribals in the five hill districts.

In a statement, assistant general secretary of the Union Robert Leivon asserted that tampering of the actual field reports and imposition of fixed figure of decadal growth rate of the tribals by the Government is against all existing norms, regulations and Acts.

If the Government considers that the field reports had error and loopholes, correction and verification must be done on the field and not on the table of the Government offices in Imphal.

For correction and verification, it is our understanding that a second round of census operation is pending with more specification and specialisation methods, the student body said, adding that there is no need of the Govt to go hysteric over the growth rate of the tribals.

If this undue interference of the State Govt on the census report is not stop immediately and clarification be made regarding the order to slash down 10 percent of the tribal population in the census, the Govt must be responsible for any untowards consequences.

Furthermore, the student body has appealed to the Govt to implement the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Post and Service (SC and ST) Act, 2007 without any further delay by bringing out necessary rules and regulations.

How many years and opportunity does the Government intends to deny the tribals ?, the student body asked, adding that lip-service of the SPF Govt on tribal causes is regrettable and very disheartening.

The student body said that huge number of ST posts and promotions are being denied by the SPF during this current year also.

ST posts and promotions are faulted in JNIMS, Home, Assembly Secretariat, PHED, RD and Fire Service, to name just a few.

If this final appeal goes futile, agitation is the only and last option and if such situation arose, ATSUM will definitely go for agitation until all demands are met by the Govt, the student body warned.

With regard to the problem over recruitment of primary teachers in Education (S) Dept, the student body pointed out that it has been going on for a long time.

Pointing out that Education Dept has been unable to execute any work or order, the student body said that overhauling of the Dept should be seriously considered, else the lives and career of many people will at risk.

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