*TULAI-HUILHI*
*Press Release | JAC Against Anti Tribal Bills*
February 19, 2017 6:53 pm
Press Release
Lamka, February 19, 2017
The Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam’s shameless accusation that the nine Tribal Martyrs that includes an 11-year old were “hired by rebel groups,” while remaining unmindful of the fact that it was his very own Government that passed the three anti-tribal bills under the instruction of CorCom, a conglomerate of proscribed Meitei militant groups, exposes the Ibobi-led Congress Government’s sheer disinterest to bring about any solution to the current tribal impasse.
It has been 538 days since the communal Manipur Government resorted to using live bullets on unarmed indigenous tribal youths to quell the spontaneous tribal reactions following the passing of the three infamous anti-tribal bills by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015, viz., the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015; the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015; and the Manipur Shops & Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015.
The Manipur Government admitted to having murdered the nine Tribal Martyrs by performing Hiamkhaam on November 2, 2015 – a tribal customary practice performed by the guilty party acknowledging their crime. Subsequently, on the State Government’s invitation, the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) submitted its Charter of Demands on November 9, 2015, and met with the State Government again on December 29, 2015. However, the Ibobi Singh-led Government is yet to address the JAC’s Charter of Demands till today. In fact, it was during the meeting on December 29, 2015 at his chamber that Chief Minister Ibobi Singh confessed that the three anti-tribal bills were passed due to pressure from CorCom!
Instead of making any genuine attempts to bring about a sustainable and acceptable solution for the tribal people, the communal Manipur Government has resorted to spreading lies and playing divide-and-rule among the tribal people, an art it has so skilfully perfected over the years. The State Government has even resorted to stealing the mortal remains of one of the nine Tribal Martyrs through one of its many ‘agencies’ on December 22, 2016, with the Chief Minister Ibobi Singh himself visiting Bijang in Southern Manipur on the very same day to personally verify the success of the ‘mission.’
In a clear indication to his Government’s utter disregard for anything tribal, the Chief Minister of 15 years has repeatedly tried to deceive the public by proclaiming that “land belongs to the Government, and not to any tribe.” For a tribal, his ancestral land is very much the core of his identity, and his existence; and the Chief Minister’s words simply showcases his ignorance of the un-concocted Manipur History and tribal land rights, and also exposes his anti-tribal mind-set and stand.
It is time the tribal people in present Manipur realize that despite their sugar-coated ‘communal harmony’ speeches, the actions of the communal Manipur Government and their cohorts indicate otherwise, thereby blatantly showing their lack of commitment towards bringing about any kind of solution. Instead, the Government’s actions including the creation of seven new districts merely indicate that they are hell-bent on creating problems and divisions among the tribal people with the sole aim of securing the maximum seats in the upcoming State Assembly Elections!
While welcoming the conduct of timely Assembly Elections, the cries of the tribal people in the hills of present Manipur are not for Elections, but rather for constitutional protection. With the communal Manipur Government repeatedly ignoring the cries of the tribal people for an acceptable and sustainable solution, coupled with the continuing economic blockade and the unsolved issue of the three anti-tribal bills, the disquiet in the hills is palpable. Hence, the situation in the tribal territories of present Manipur without any solution to the prevailing imbroglio may not be the most congenial for Elections at this point of time.
*Information and Publicity Department*
*Press Release | JAC Against Anti Tribal Bills*
February 19, 2017 6:53 pm
Press Release
Lamka, February 19, 2017
The Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam’s shameless accusation that the nine Tribal Martyrs that includes an 11-year old were “hired by rebel groups,” while remaining unmindful of the fact that it was his very own Government that passed the three anti-tribal bills under the instruction of CorCom, a conglomerate of proscribed Meitei militant groups, exposes the Ibobi-led Congress Government’s sheer disinterest to bring about any solution to the current tribal impasse.
It has been 538 days since the communal Manipur Government resorted to using live bullets on unarmed indigenous tribal youths to quell the spontaneous tribal reactions following the passing of the three infamous anti-tribal bills by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015, viz., the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015; the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015; and the Manipur Shops & Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015.
The Manipur Government admitted to having murdered the nine Tribal Martyrs by performing Hiamkhaam on November 2, 2015 – a tribal customary practice performed by the guilty party acknowledging their crime. Subsequently, on the State Government’s invitation, the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) submitted its Charter of Demands on November 9, 2015, and met with the State Government again on December 29, 2015. However, the Ibobi Singh-led Government is yet to address the JAC’s Charter of Demands till today. In fact, it was during the meeting on December 29, 2015 at his chamber that Chief Minister Ibobi Singh confessed that the three anti-tribal bills were passed due to pressure from CorCom!
Instead of making any genuine attempts to bring about a sustainable and acceptable solution for the tribal people, the communal Manipur Government has resorted to spreading lies and playing divide-and-rule among the tribal people, an art it has so skilfully perfected over the years. The State Government has even resorted to stealing the mortal remains of one of the nine Tribal Martyrs through one of its many ‘agencies’ on December 22, 2016, with the Chief Minister Ibobi Singh himself visiting Bijang in Southern Manipur on the very same day to personally verify the success of the ‘mission.’
In a clear indication to his Government’s utter disregard for anything tribal, the Chief Minister of 15 years has repeatedly tried to deceive the public by proclaiming that “land belongs to the Government, and not to any tribe.” For a tribal, his ancestral land is very much the core of his identity, and his existence; and the Chief Minister’s words simply showcases his ignorance of the un-concocted Manipur History and tribal land rights, and also exposes his anti-tribal mind-set and stand.
It is time the tribal people in present Manipur realize that despite their sugar-coated ‘communal harmony’ speeches, the actions of the communal Manipur Government and their cohorts indicate otherwise, thereby blatantly showing their lack of commitment towards bringing about any kind of solution. Instead, the Government’s actions including the creation of seven new districts merely indicate that they are hell-bent on creating problems and divisions among the tribal people with the sole aim of securing the maximum seats in the upcoming State Assembly Elections!
While welcoming the conduct of timely Assembly Elections, the cries of the tribal people in the hills of present Manipur are not for Elections, but rather for constitutional protection. With the communal Manipur Government repeatedly ignoring the cries of the tribal people for an acceptable and sustainable solution, coupled with the continuing economic blockade and the unsolved issue of the three anti-tribal bills, the disquiet in the hills is palpable. Hence, the situation in the tribal territories of present Manipur without any solution to the prevailing imbroglio may not be the most congenial for Elections at this point of time.
*Information and Publicity Department*
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