KANGPOKPI | Sept 19: The State Coordinating Committee of the Hmar Students Association (HSA), Manipur expressed its deep disappointment over the alleged unresponsiveness of the state government towards the genuine issues of the tribal of Jiribam concerning the intention to upgrade Jiribam Sub-Division to a full-fledged revenue district.
A press statement of the association jointly signed by its coordinator Lal Robul Pudaite and secretary Malsawmthang Ralsun stated that the move to nullify tribal’s’ rights on the pretext of upgradation of Jiribam to a full-fledged revenue district would tantamount to total disregard for the tribal communities of Jiribam.
It declared that such move of the government will never be accepted by the association.
HSA maintained that the Tribal Rights Demand Committee, which was mandated by all the tribal civil society organizations of Jiribam has been taking up the tribal issues of Jiribam.
It reiterated that memorandums had been submitted to the Chief Minister on numerous occasions highlighting the plight of the tribal and need for alternative arrangement rather than making the sub-division as a full-fledged revenue district.
However, in spite of the efforts no positive response has been received from the Chief Minister so far. The government’s apathy has led the association to question sincerity of the former towards the genuine plights of the tribal of Jiribam, HSA stated.
It asked why the government continues to remain silent towards the tribal’s concerns while various wings of Jiribam District Demand Committee have been pressuring the government to declare Jiribam as a full-fledged revenue district.
HSA alleged that Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) was founded by a particular section of Jiribam’s diverse communities without consultation with all the stake holders over the demand.
Tribal of Jiribam are not part of the committee since their interests and concerns had never been entertained, it claimed.
It further alleged that the 11-point MoU signed between JDDC and the state government in the year 2011 clearly overlooked the rights and privileges of the tribal.
If the proposal to upgrade Jiribam to a full-fledged revenue district is to be based on the MoU then it would tantamount to robbing and nullifying the constitutional rights and privileges of the tribal, the association said.
In the absence of proper consultations with tribal communities, such insensitive move would only create rift amongst the otherwise peace loving citizens of Jiribam”, HSA mentioned in the statement.
Urging the state government to address the genuine demands for an alternative to the present move to upgrade the sub-division to a full-fledged revenue district, the State Coordinating Committee of the student body further called upon the government to initiate construction of a democratic platform wherein the tribal may voice their needs and are also respected as per their constitutional rights. (IFP)