'Release the arrested Tribal student leaders'
Delhi, 7th August 2022
NEFIS WRITES TO MANIPUR CHIEF MINISTER REGARDING THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE ARRESTED TRIBAL STUDENT LEADERS!
DEMANDS ACTION AGAINST THOSE FLAMING COMMUNAL DISHARMONY IN MANIPUR!
DEMANDS WIDESPREAD CONSULTATION WITH TRIBAL COMMUNITIES BEFORE ANY BILL REGARDING HILL AREAS IS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY!
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) today wrote to the Manipur Chief Minister, Shri N. Biren Singh regarding the arrest of tribal student leaders who have been demanding the tabling of the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021.
It should be noted that the student union of tribal students has been demanding the tabling of this bill in the ongoing session of the state legislative assembly. Their demand is to give the Hill Area Committees and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur more power over the finances and autonomy related to the administration of the hill areas.
It should be noted that the situation took a turn when the Manipur government instead of introducing the said bill, introduced the 6th and 7th Amendment Bills of the Manipur District Councils (Hill Areas). Since this was done against the will of and without any consultation with the tribal bodies, the tribal students’ body called for a 24-hour shutdown in the Hill Districts against this measure of the state government.
For organizing this shutdown five executive members of the tribal students’ body were later arrested. This has resulted in widespread protests in some hill districts and valley areas by the tribal community demanding the release of the arrested leaders. The repression of the subsequent peaceful protests by the Manipur police and its brutality leading to injuries to many of the tribal people is highly condemnable. The government should uphold the democratic rights of the people to demonstrate and put forward their demands.
Meanwhile, some hatemongers are spreading communal hatred and threatening communal harmony in the state. This is a serious issue that is exacerbating the volatile situation in the state, and it is feared that it might go out of control if immediate and strict action is not taken against hatemongers. The state, it should be noted, is responsible for maintaining communal harmony and vigilance against any provocative actions aimed at disrupting it. This issue is very grave and requires immediate intervention by the state government.
In the memo sent to the Manipur Chief Minister, it has been demanded that the arrested tribal student leaders should be immediately released, stringent action against the communal hatemongers should be ensured, and a democratic and peaceful dialogue should be ensured between the tribal bodies and the state government regarding the concerned bill. NEFIS also demands that no bill concerning the hill areas be tabled without widespread consultations with the tribal communities.
Thokchom Yaiphalembi Chanu
Member
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS)
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) who can be contacted at nefis(DOT)delhi(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on 08 August 2022
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