IMPHAL, June 17: The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) has reaffirmed its stand on the issues and demands of the committee.
A meeting of the central committee of COPTAM was held on June 16 in which various resolutions were adopted by the tribal body.
The members present condemned the indifferent attitude of the state government to the legitimate and rightful demands of COPTAM, a statement said.
The statement said it is highly unbecoming on the part of the government to deliberately undermine and neglect the letter sent by National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on the issues raised by COPTAM.
The meeting also unanimously resolved to bar the holding of Panchayat/Municipality elections in hill areas where ADC elections had been conducted, it said.
It was also agreed that any government official or employees should not be indulged themselves in conducting the said elections in hill areas.
Any tribal should not get involved in the ensuing Panchayat/Municipality elections, it warned. It was also decided that COPTAM will renew its course of actions very soon in collaboration with all the tribal apex bodies including student organizations until and unless the government fulfill its rightful demands.
COPTAM also sought the support of the people in its struggle to fulfill the legitimate demands.