IT News
Imphal, Feb 22:
The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) has appealed to the tribal people of the state which is around 1.3 million to elect candidate who will stand firmly in unity for the collective future of the tribal people.
In a statement, signed by President of the Union Paotinthang Lupheng and Genral Secretary SR Andria, the ATSUM appealed to the tribal populace to elect representatives whose vision, competence and integrity will be able to pick up the course of the new Hill Area Committee (HAC) ADC Bill 2021 and translate it into an Act.
The ATSUM statement also stated that since independence, the tribals in our state have lived as a neglected population despite the guarantees in the Indian constitution through Article 371C.
“We appreciate the Hill Area Committee for their historic unison across party lines and ethnic divides to unanimously adopt the Manipur Hill Area Autonomous District Councils Bill 2021 on 16th of August, 2021”, the statement said.
It further added that the ATSUM with the unrelenting support of Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) and All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) have been impressing on the present BJP-led Government to table the Bill and take it forward. And added that the Union along with other tribal bodies are extremely disappointed at the response and position of the State Government which continues to deliberately deny our advancement as equal citizens of this state.
“Our only hope of translating our collective ideals is by electing representatives who would embark this collective demand to translate the new HAC ADC Bill 2021 into a reality”, the statement sent strong words.
The Statement of the ATSUM urged all the tribal candidates across the political spectrum to give a primary commitment to the new HAC ADC Bill 2021, keeping aside your respective party manifestoes and policies.