CHURACHANDPUR, June 4: JAC against Anti-Tribal Bills conducted a public awareness campaign on the three controversial bills in Thanlon yesterday which was attended by people from 35 villages in Thanlon sub-division. After holding the discussion, the meeting agreed on the need for unity among tribals in Manipur and to brace up for a collective fight against the ‘communal and anti-tribal’ policies of the Manipur government.
According to a press release from the JAC, its members, tribal leaders from different communities and students’ organisation leader spoke at length at the programme.
Five declarations were adopted by the people of Thanlon sub-division for protection and promotion of tribal land, rights and identity, it said.
Firstly, the meeting condemned the passing of the three bills on August 31, 2015 in the state Assembly and the tribal MLAs for giving their approval. Secondly, it demanded that the anti-tribal bills must be scraped by the Manipur State Assembly.
Thirdly, the people of Thanlon sub-division vowed to stand united to vehemently oppose the three bills. Fourthly, the tribal communities of the sub-division resolved to set up a sub-division level JAC against the three anti-tribal bills and lastly, to affirm commitment for demand for a separate administration outside the Manipur government under the Constitution of India for which the Union government shall be persuaded.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the release stated, a meeting was held at the office of the Mizo People Convention at Hmuia Veng, Lamka which was attended by leaders of the JAC as well as Hmar Inpui, Mizo People Convention, United Naga Council and Zomi Council, along with leaders of various tribe councils under Zomi Council.
The meeting deliberated on the future course of action to be executed in the collective fight for tribal rights and identity with the intention of intensifying the Manipur Tribal movement in the days to come, it said.
“With the ‘All Political Party’ delegation having arrived in New Delhi to persuade the Union Government to give President’s assent to the three anti-tribal bills, the JAC would like to humbly request all tribal people of Manipur residing in and around New Delhi to be vigilant and be ever ready to respond to the calls made by the Manipur Tribals’ Forum, Delhi (MTFD) as we ramp up our agitation and raise our collective voices against the anti-tribal Manipur government,” it added.