Centre’s envoy calls for dialogue for speedy resolution of all issues Call to separate tribal inhabited areas sounded

TSE | Lamka, Sep 22: The Centre’s special envoy, who landed here to take a first-hand account of the crisis besetting the hill areas, particularly Churachandpur, has called for a dialogue even as he invited concrete suggestions from all stake holders for finding a speedy resolution to all issues and to avoid further tragedies even as he dubbed the crisis as much larger and complex than a law and order issue.

Addressing the press on the side-lines of his meeting with the JAC, Ashok Prasad, Secretary (Internal Security) of the Union Home Ministry acknowledged that there are complexities involved in the present crisis and called for dialogue to settle all issues.

‘Certainly it is not an isolated law and order problem, it is part of a much bigger issue and to the best of what I could understand since my interaction with the State Government yesterday and with all of you today, the issue is essentially of a communication gap. It needs to be opened up so that your views are relayed to the State Covernment and Central Government and their views are transmitted to you. Because at the end of the day it is only through dialogue, that we can move forward and that is the essence of our democratic process,’ he said adding, ‘if the need for Centre’s intervention arises it will not be found wanting.’

He said the Ministry of Home Affiars had directed him to listen and interact with all the people here; to ascertain the concerns and the views of all the people in order to identify priorities and to be able to address the valuable suggestions towards a resolution to the issue.

‘I have interacted with the people, they have given me their suggestions and I have noted them down, and I assure you all that I will take it up to the best of my ability with the authorities both at the State and Centre to see that we make positive movement in this regard,’ he added.

Earlier addressing a public gathering at Lamka public ground he said, ‘It will be my endeavour to understand the nuances and complexities of the situation so that necessary and effective steps can be initiated at all level to bring back peace and stability to this area.’

Meanwhile a memorandum submitted by the apex tribal bodies, Hmar Inpui, Kuki Inpi, Churachandpur and Zomi Council said that the present ongoing turmoil in the hill areas of Manipur, Churachanpdur district in particular, is not just because of the three Bills that were passed on August 31 or a mere law and order issue as being portrayed by the State to the outside world. It is rather a culmination of the age old distress of the tribal people at the hands of the Government of Manipur and the desire of the tribal people to have a separate political setup outside the State Government of Manipur.

It therefore claimed that the issue is political and accordingly pleaded with the envoy to treat, approach and address the issue at the political level as it they felt is the only option for a permanent solution.

The JAC also handed over a memorandum addressed to the Union Home Minister wherein they alleged that the three contentious Bills targeted the hill tribes and tribal land and its passage was unconstitutional. They highlighted the brutal actions used by the State on tribal protestors who are defending their rights and land.

The JAC further claimed that the State Government of Manipur is for Meiteis and not for the tribals claiming, ‘under a sustained pressure from the Meitei dominated valley people of Manipur, the passing of the three Bills reflected the real intention of the valley people, and supported by the State Government, to not only expel what they call ‘non Manipuri people’ but more importantly to expel the tribal people from their ancestral homeland and to grab their lands which have been so far protected by the Constitution.’

Detailing why the Bills are unconstitutional and the historicity of the hill-valley imbroglio, the JAC like the apex bodies said separation of the tribal areas from Manipur State for a separate administration and political arrangements for the hill tribes under the Constitution of India is the only solution for peace and security in the region.

The JAC memo that featured a-three-point demand including complete political separation of tribal areas of Manipur from Manipur State; immediate political settlement with KNO-UPF leaders for separate administrative political arrangements within Indian Constitution; and immediate withdrawal of the three anti-tribal Bills, declared that the nine bodies of the tribal martyrs are waiting for the Central Government's assurance in writing that these demands will be fulfilled in a time bound manner. Until then the bodies will await the response as a call of do or die situation.

Families of the nine martyrs also submitted a memorandum to the visiting envoy when he visited the mortuary today. Details of the content, except that they sacrificed their lives for protecting tribal land, however were not known.

The Central envoy on his arrival was greeted by chiefs at Kangvai. He then attended and addressed a brief public meeting at Lamka Public ground from where he visited the mortuary where nine martyrs are now preserved for the 3rd week. He then had a closed-door meeting with the JAC and tribe leaders, and a brief interaction with the media before returning to Imphal.

 
23-Sep-2015 / S Singlianmang Guite