LAMKA, September 3: The JAC formed against the passing of The Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill 2015 and other related bills by the State Assembly on August 31 convened a huge public meeting today at the Hingtam Lamka public ground which was also participated by community leaders and representatives of the All Naga Students Association Manipur, All Tribal Students Union Manipur and the Kuki Students Organisation GHQ.
On the other hand, protestors also reportedly burned down minister Phungzathang`™s residence for the second time this afternoon after they found that some supporters of the minister had started repairing it.
Protestors also attacked the Churachandpur Police Station for the fourth time today, and later burned down the district Employment Exchange office and the SDO Churachandpur office, against the appeal of the JAC and other frontal organisations.
Security personnel were overwhelmed by the mob and had to restrain themselves after some blank firing and firing some tear gas shells, as a police on condition of anonymity confided.
Another protestor also succumbed to injuries sustained on September 1, this morning around 4, bringing up the toll to eight.
Meanwhile, speaking at the public meeting, chief convenor of the JAC Mangchinkhup said that although the Chief Minister has announced that the three recently passed bills including those related with land revenue will not apply in the hills of Manipur, since there is still no changes made to the bills, the people must act now with all their might as once the bills are implemented they will hurt the tribals.
Representatives of ANSAM and KSO GHQ also spoke on the unity among the tribals, a common platform and co-operation.
Representatives of ANSAM, KSO GHQ, the JAC and other stakeholders also held a closed door meeting in the office of the newly formed JAC at KKL complex this afternoon discussing at length how the movement for a separate administration for the tribals could be achieved.
The meeting was chaired by the chief convenor of the JAC.
Meanwhile, advisor of ATSUM who had come from outside the district said they had come to show solidarity to the JAC and the sacrifices of the eight precious lives.
The KSO president said ATSUM which is the apex body of the tribal students of Manipur should be responsible for maintaining co-ordination among the different tribal student organisations.
Participants from other districts also proposed and asked the JAC to make arrangement so that organisations from the different districts of Manipur could also pay homage to the eight dead.
Mangchinkhup said the JAC will be spearheading the demand for a separate administration for the tribals of Manipur and further expressed that the collective effort of the tribals as a whole would be a stepping stone.
ATSUM (Serto) ex-president Serto said compensation for the eight dead should not be accepted from the government, but each tribal household should contribute to collect the amount.
He said they should instead concentrate on the political demand of the tribals.
The Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Zomi Council and the Hmar Innpui also issued a joint declaration during a joint sitting. The three organisations endorses the condemnation of the Hill Area Committee members who voted in favour of the bills on August 31 in the State Assembly.
The three said they also support the 48 hour bandh called by the United Naga Council.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/tribal-bodies-converge-in-ccpur-to-chalk-out-course-of-movement/
