IMPHAL, Jul 9: Asserting that the Manipur Govt’s preparation to introduce fresh Bills is an insult to the tribal ‘martyrs’ and the tribal people in Manipur, a public consultation meeting convened today by the JAC against Anti-Tribal Bills at YPA general headquarters hall, Hiangtam Lamka resolved to endorse the JAC to continue to spearhead the movement for tribal land, rights and identity.
In a statement, the JAC said that even with the President of India withholding his assent on the PMP Bill, 2015, the other two Bills —MLR&LR (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishments (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015 are still under review by experts. While the conundrum over the ‘anti-tribal’ Bills is still underway and the mortal remains of the nine ‘tribal martyrs’ are awaiting an honourable burial, the Manipur Govt’s preparation to introduce fresh Bills is an insult to the tribal ‘martyrs’ and the tribal people in Manipur.
The consultative meeting noted its appreciation of the initiatives taken by the JAC against Anti-Tribal Bills, Manipur Tribal Forum, Delhi and the Outer Manipur Tribals’ Forum in the fight for tribal land, rights and identity. They maintained that the tribal people should continue to support them till an acceptable political autonomy/solution for the tribal people in Manipur is achieved.
The meeting also resolved that the two resolutions be further deliberated by the JAC and OMTF for necessary action.
The consultation meeting further endorsed the resolutions adopted by the Tribal Youth Council, Manipur and the All Tribal Lawyers’ Forum, Manipur at TRI on June 21. The resolutions included declaration of June 20 as Hill Peoples’ Day, to support only those candidates who are fully conversant with the provisions of Article 371 C, Manipur Legislative Assembly (HAC) Order, 1972, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Manipur (Hill Area) District Council Act, 1971 and ready to work in the interest of tribal people in the upcoming Assembly elections 2017.
It also resolved to endorse the resolutions of TYCM and ATLFM to fight for full autonomy of ADCs and explore every means to extend Sixth Schedule to the hill districts of Manipur so as to empower the ADCs and safeguard the rights and interests of the tribal people; fight for the economic development of the tribal people so that the equilibrium in the economy of the hills and valley can be achieved; no tribal voters should give their vote to the incumbent tribal MLAs who have been declared ‘anti-tribals’ by the apex body of tribals in the upcoming Assembly elections 2017.
The meeting further endorsed the ‘appeal to Churches’ made by the Christian Goodwill Council on June 18, 2016 to pray for the upcoming Assembly election 2017 in Manipur so that free and fair election is done and devoid of horse-trading, intimidation and violence during or after the election.
