Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 09:
At least three organizations submitted memorandums to the Schedule Areas and Schedule Tribes Commission of India when the Commission headed by its Chairman Dilip Singh Bhuria landed here during their whistle-stop tour of the Hill districts today.
The other members of the delegation are Dr Bhupinder Singh, Member, Prof M Kamson, PS Negi, Member Secy and SK Kaul, Member of the Commissioner.
Dr H Kamknenthang, Jt Director (TD) also accompanied the visiting team.
The three organizations which submitted memorandums to the delegation are the Schedule Tribes' Welfare Association, Manipur (STWAM), Chief's Council, Churachanpur District and Ex-Servicemen Association.
The STWAM in its memo, highlight the ills afflicting the tribals and demanded remedial measures.
Mr Khamliankhup, Secy in his speech said that while the tribals have 31% job reservation under Govt of Manipur, there are only about 13, 000 tribal employees out of approximately 80, 000 Government employees in Manipur which shows a huge breach of the law.
He also said that almost 80% of Government schools in the hills are defunct and asked that special consideration be given to the tribal areas.
The Chief's Council emphasized the traditional land right of the tribal chiefs and asked for the withdrawal of Forest Guidelines issued by the Manipur Government recently, among other demands.
While the program Of the function at Lamka Community Hall was fixed at 11 am, the team arrived from the BSF Helipad at 2:30 pm only and left at 3:00 pm.