"No tribal voters shall vote incumbent tribal MLAS who are declared anti-tribals" - JAC Against Anti-Tribal Bills

 

Press Release

Lamka, July 9, 2016

A Public Consultation Meeting convened today by the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) at the YPA General Headquarters Hall, Hiangtam Lamka, Lamka resolved the following:

1. That, even with the President of India withholding his assent on the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, the other two bills, viz, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 are still under review by experts. While the conundrum over the anti-tribal bills still ongoing and the mortal remains of the nine Tribal Martyrs awaiting an honourable burial, the Manipur Government’s preparation to introduce fresh bills is an insult to the Tribal Martyrs and the tribal people in Manipur. Therefore, the Public Consultation Meeting has agreed to endorse the JAC to continue to spearhead the Movement  for tribal land, rights and identity.
   
   
2. That, the Consultative Meeting notes its appreciation of the initiative taken by the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills, the Manipur Tribals’ Forum Delhi and the Outer Manipur Tribals’ Forum in the fight for tribal land, rights and identity; and the tribal people shall continue to stand behind them till an acceptable political autonomy/solution for the tribal people in Manipur is achieved. 
   
   
   
   
   
3. That, the above two resolutions/recommendations shall be further deliberated by the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills and the Outer Manipur Tribals’ Forum for necessary action .
   
   
4. That, the Consultation Meeting endorses the following resolutions made by the Tribal Youth Council, Manipur and the All Tribal Lawyers’ Forum, Manipur at the Tribal Research Institute on June 21, 2016:

a)      Declaration of June 20 as Hill Peoples Day

b)      Manipur Tribals will support only those candidates who are fully conversant with the provisions of article 371C, the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Manipur (Hill Areas) Disrict Council Act, 1971 and ready to work in the interest of tribal people in the upcoming Assembly Elections 2017.

c)      Fight for full autonomy of Autonomous District Councils(ADCs) and explore every means to extend Sixth Schedule to the Hill Districts of Manipur so as to empower ADCs and safeguard the rights and interests of the tribal people.

d)      Fight for the economic development of the tribal people so that the equilibrium in the economy of the Hills and Valley can be achieved.

e)      No tribal voters shall give their vote to the incumbent tribal MLAs who have been declared anti-tribals by the apex body of tribals in the upcoming Assembly Elections 2017.

5. That, the Consultation Meeting endorses

­the following ‘Appeal to Churches’ made by the Christian Goodwill Council on June 18, 2016:

1. To pray for the upcoming Assembly Election 2017 in Manipur so that we have a free and fair election devoid of horse-trading, intimidation and violence during or after the election

-INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT

JAC AGAINST ANTI-TRIBAL BILLS