Outer Manipur Tribal Forum calls 12 hours bandh

Imphal, Oct 4: Terming the State Government attitude towards tribal community as apathetic approach, the Outer Manipur Tribal Forum (OMTF) and Joint Action Committee against Anti-Tribal Bills (JACAATB) while condemning the state government has called 12 hour bandh in Manipur on October 7.
In a joint statement, OMTF and JACAATB, on September 30, deliberated on the newly drafted Bill on Non-Local People of Manipur and the Scheduled Tribe Status demand by the Co-coordinating Body of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur and resolved to call the 12-hour bandh.
The two bodies have also restated the boycott of tribal MLAs in the state.
OMTF and JACAATB said in a joint statement that any individuals, organizations or political parties betraying the indigenous people shall have no place in the tribal areas of Manipur.
They also state that neither the forum nor the JAC shall be responsible for any untoward incidents if any persons or individual fail to comply with the boycott.
According to a joint release, the OMTF and JACAATB have submitted a memorandum to the prime minister to oppose the demand of the Meitei community for a Scheduled Tribe status.
The two bodies will also organise a joint tour in tribal areas, including Motbung, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong to create awareness on Constitutional rights and duties of tribals.
The two bodies have declared the 12-hour bandh in all tribal-inhabited areas of the state from morning 6 till evening 6 of October 7.