ANSAM drive on
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 28 2013: Under the theme, "My Land, My Identity," the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has toured several villages including Leibi village and Tamu town in Indo-Myanmar border since last Friday as part of its 'Journey Towards Grass-Roots' under the theme, "My Land My Identity�walking the peripheries" .

About 60 delegates of ANSAM led by its president Seth Satshang in 15 vehicles met villagers in the Indo-Myanmar border.

At Tamu in the other side of the border (Myanmar), Seth Satshang told the people that though the Nagas are living separately today, we should continue to help each other.

"Let us not lose hope.

We will definitely have a bright future," said the ANSAM president.

At Leibi, the ANSAM delegates had a worship service with the villagers in the evening of Friday.

"Despite our struggle and resistance, our symbolic relationship with our land and forest is at stake and has serious implication on our future," preached the ANSAM leaders during their tour.

The concept note of this very programme asked, "If self-determination is a pre-requisite for the exercise of our spiritual, social, cultural, economic and political rights, and if land and forest are the bases of our sovereignty, what is the course of our future?" .

The ANSAM leaders dwelt a length the issues of forest and land.

"The land relations among the indigenous peoples and other forest dwelling communities of the mainland India and North East region differs," ANSAM leaders stated.

According to the Naga student leaders, in mainland India, they have practically lost all their rights over their lands, forests and other natural resources.

"This was done through conquers and conquests by empires and kingdoms, and through the colonisation of their lands and territories by colonial powers, especially the British.

The legacy was inherited by the Independent India through the continuation of the forest laws and were created by their colonial master primarily for the extraction of natural resources," pointed out the ANSAM leaders.

The Naga student leaders cited numerous related Acts of India during their tour.

The ANSAM leaders then said environmental politics in India today represents a new era in Indian democracy.

According to them, the Supreme Court is subverting all laws that are made by the State and the latter is being pretentiously submissive to the former.

"The recent trends in the Northeast as well as in other parts of India are indicative of this," said the Naga students.

According to ANSAM president Seth Satshang, the Naga students' body is compelled to take up this 'journey' as there have been constant threats to "our lands and our natural resources" both from state and non-state agencies through 'various backdoor methods' .

According to the ANSAM chief, the student body is working hard meeting people in this regard.

"Today, our rights, our lands and our resources exist due to the fierce struggle we have collectively put forward," said Seth Satshang.

He also said, "Since its inception ANSAM has been relentlessly and consistently working towards its objective alongside with other organisations" .

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