JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE
Against Anti-Tribal Bills
jac.tribals@gmail.com
Press Release
Lamka, January 12,
2017
Today marks the
500th day of the Tribal Movement, a movement for tribal land, rights and
identity that began with the simultaneous reactions against the passing of the
three infamous anti-tribal bills by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August
31, 2015.
To mark the
occasion, the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JACAATB)
organized a Mass Prayer program at the Young Paite Association General
Headquarters Hall, Hiangtam Lamka, Lamka today.
Rev. Stephen
Chinzathang, Executive Secretary, Zou Presbyterian Church Synod welcomed the
gathering and sought through prayer the Almighty’s guidance and presence in the program as well as the
Movement.
The packed house
observed a moment of silence as a tribute to the fallen Tribal Martyrs,
followed by the JACAATB Chief Convenor, H. Mangchinkhup delivering a keynote
address on the occasion. He stressed that the Movement is a fight for tribal
self-determination and protection of tribal ancestral lands, their rights and
identity; he made a heartfelt appeal to the gathering as well as viewers
watching the event live on local TV cable networks in Lamka to rise above mere
electoral politics and work together for the collective survival of the
indigenous tribal peoples inhabiting present Manipur.
This was followed
by a speech from G. Liana Vaiphei, who is the President of Manipur Tribals
Union Bengaluru as well as Zomi Youth Association Bengaluru Region, exhorting
the tribal peoples to keep the flame of the Movement burning.
Taking cues from
Biblical events, the 500th Day Message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Sut Khan
Thang, Executive Secretary, Chin Baptist Association.
This was followed
by a Mass Prayer session led by leaders of the Tuailai 1434PRO, a movement
initiated by a church-based youth group for uprooting corruption and building a
righteous Christian society based on Proverbs 14:34.
Information and
Publicity Department
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