Consultative meet backs ATSUM stand
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, September 24 2015:
A consultation campaign carried out by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur, reached Senapati today where a consultative meeting with civil, political and students organizations was held at SDWA Hall.
The meeting endorsed ATSUM's stand to oppose tooth and nail the three anti-tribal Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.The meeting was participated by political parties of NPF and BJP, social/ civil leaders and students organizations like NPO, NWU, SDSA, MKS, PNTM, MSU, TAJ and the All Private Schools Association Senapati.
Giving keynote address at the meeting, Joseph Hmar, Co-convener of the Co-coordinating Committee, lambasted the tribal MLAs stating that they (MLAs) are not worthy to be legislative Members as representative of the people as they failed to protect the interest of the people.
"They should give us good laws, and also protect the people from any bad laws, but they have failed", he pointed out.
Further questioning their obligation to the people, he asked, "Where is their responsibility? Why should they sit in the Assembly? .
He maintained that only agenda for the ATSUM is to protect the tribal interest against the three bills that hold the tribal land at stake.
"ATSUM will go on its own pace, as we have our goals and agendas clear and we will conclude concretely, and logically", he said.
Lashing out at the Government of Manipur, he expressed unwillingness to talk.
"ATSUM has been never intimated with any invitation".
"Perhaps if the GoM wants to talk, it should recall the Bills, and let's talk", the co-convener insisted.
He said that the tribals in Manipur are not suspicious and do not require any Bill to protect the tribals.
"Our land is our asset, resources and identity.
It is not for disposal or to be taken away", he asserted.
"Our (tribals of Manipur) coming together has just started and it should grow stronger and healthier as we (Kuki, Naga and other tribals) will live permanently together", he stated.
The ATSUM has also published a booklet critiquing the three Bills passed and spelled out fallacies of the Bills.
Prior to the Joseph's address, the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students' Organization (KSO) leader also spoke briefly.
Later, the congregation also held a public interaction about the three Bills where, ADC Chairman, Senapati, ML Markson, Vice-Chairman, John Hingba and other ADC Members shared their views on the burning issue of the Bills and the future course of action to tackle the issue.
It was also learned that the ATSUM team is scheduled to reach Kangpokpi tomorrow and then to Ukhrul on the following day.
They would also visit Chandel and Tamenglong before concluding the campaign at Churachandpur on September 28 .