CHANDEL, September 26: The Chandel people’s consultative meeting held today in Chandel district headquarters pledged to support and endorse the course of action taken by Co-ordinating Committee of All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) against the three infamous and “Anti-Tribal bills” which was passed by Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.
The meeting which was held under the aegis of Co-ordinating Committee of All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) in association with the Naga Students’ Union Chandel, on the theme, ‘Strengthening our future (A journey towards grass roots)’ was participated by presidents and representatives of Tribal hohos, leaders of students’ organisations, NWUC, chiefs, pastors and intellectuals.
Speaking to news person after the meeting, president of NSUC Sr Jonigam Anal who is also the member of the Co-ordinating Committee of All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) said people present in the meeting discussed the 3 bills.
Experts and resource persons who were also in the meeting critically discussed the bills after which the meeting unanimously adopted to vehemently opposed the three bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 saying that the bills infringed upon the rights and lands of the tribal people, he said.
He said that the consultative meeting pledged to support and endorse the course of action taken by Co-ordinating Committee of All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) against the three bills.
Meanwhile, reacting to some newspaper reports saying that ATSUM is demanding separate administration for tribals, Joningam clarified that ATSUM’s demand is not separate administration for tribals but resignation of all tribal MLAS before September 30 on moral ground, he added.