Imphal, December 09 2010: Failure on the part of the SPF government has disappointed tribals of the state, particularly students, says the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM).

ATSUM today criticized the SPF government that of failing to translate into action promises made.

The general assembly of ATSUM held on December 6 with its federating units like CDSU, TKS, SDSA, ZSUM KSO (GHQ) and at Synod Hall, Churachandpur deliberated the various assurances of the government given from time to time to the tribal people, a statement of the ATSUM said today.

The general assembly deliberated on the many promises of the SPF government failed to translate into action.

The speakers of the assembly in his address decried the "step-motherly" treatment of the tribal people, it said.

The state as well as Central government has failed to protect and enhance the lives of the tribal peoples of the state and it had causing a big disappointment among the students who are the future pillars of the society lamented the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) in a statement.

In comparison to the other North Eastern States of India, tribals of Manipur are politically, economically, socially and culturally the most discriminated people.

ATSUM condemned the failure of the state govt.to frame and implement the 'Reservation for SC/STs in Manipur' according to the 100 point roster in all the departments (government and semi-government) as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Further, the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Post and Service (for SC and ST) Act, 2007' is still inoperative as rules for the said act have not beenframed till date.

The non implementations of the Reservation rules have deprived the ST of various posts and seats but no action has been initiated against any guilty officer or head of Department.

The sudden introduction of the newly created '200 point roster' without any legislative sanction is also not acceptable and will be opposed tooth and nail said ATSUM.

Furthermore, the assembly agreed to make education a free zone in all the tribal areas.

Educational institutions must be exempted at any cost by any tribal bodies undertaking any sort of agitation.

The house also authorized the ATSUM executive to declare that the academic calendar in all the hill districts will be as usual and the govt.cannot impose the revised academic calendar in the hills under any circumstances.

In this regard, all the Zonal Education Officers are to be immediately instructed to follow the previous academic calendar until further notice.

In line with devolution of powers of the state govt., the house further decided to oppose the cabinet decision of posting a senior MCS officer as Executive Director of DRDA.

Administration and decisions in regard to the hill districts must be decided by at least the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and not by the cabinet.

The house, entrusted ATSUM to take up appropriate actions in co-ordination with all the federating units.

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