Imphal, October 23 2009: The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has categorically asserted that the indefinite closure of all educational institutions in some valley districts of the State in protest against the July 23 incident of BT Road is uncalled for and is taking the issue beyond limit.

In a statement, the student body observed that the state of affairs in Manipur at present is in an unenviable situation with extra judicial killings and fake encounters, intimidations and threats, unlawful arrests and detentions; undermining judiciary and semi-judiciary bodies; silencing civil societies and movements, becoming normal affairs.

It is high time that every section of the society, not just the student bodies, come out to stand and fight for their rights in the larger interest of the people of the State both tribals and non-tribals.

Therefore, ATSUM, feels that the indefinite closure of all educational institutions in some valley districts of the State in protest against the July 23 incident of BT Road is uncalled for and is taking the issue beyond limit, the statement signed by the vice president of ATSUM, Hemang Haokip and its assistant general secretary Robert Leivon Lamkang said.

The statement pointed out that with no good and established schools and colleges with adequate teachers and infrastructure in the hills, many parents with their limited and meagre resources are compelled to send their children to Imphal.

These parents are now demoralised as their hopes and aspirations on their children are diminishing in the recent past with the events that have unfolded since July 23.ATSUM also shares their simple opinion that these young kids are not the competent groups to champion the cause of human rights.

At the moment, all the five hill districts of the State are not affected by the present class boycott called in the valleys.

However, there is deep apprehension that they will be ultimately affected in the long run.

It is with this deep concern that ATSUM proposed to hold a public meeting to discuss the issue and the ways and means to avoid any complications thereof.

After all, we firmly believe each and every student (tribal or non-tribal) have their own rights and freedom to choose their own academic career and choice of study and no individual or student bodies should stand in the way, the statement said.

It went on to say that ATSUM has never and will never ever politicise the present issue as a conflict between tribals and non-tribals; hills and valleys.

Accusations are also being hurled at us using some harsh words and irrelevant words from some quarters.

We leave the matter there for the people to judge and not react on those unfounded allegations and diatribes.

The question of supporting or not supporting the State Government in this regard does not arise as we are for the tribal people of Manipur in general and the student community in particular.

We have no permanent friend or foe but take issue on case to case and on merit basis, the statement added.

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