Imphal, June 20 NNN: The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) has on Wednesday decided to resume its agitation very soon to put pressure on the state government to fulfill its ‘rightful and legitimate demands’.
A meeting of the COPTAM Central Committee was held on June 16 during which the government was condemned for neglecting the plight of the tribal people, the tribal civil body said in a statement signed by its secretary, Thangkham Lupheng.
It said COPTAM had decided to suspend its agitation after its leaders met with the Chief Minister at his office chamber last year hoping that the Chief Minister would keep his assurance.
But nothing has been done so far despite the assurances given by the Chief Minister to COPTAM, the statement said, adding that the Chief Minister has failed to redress the grievances of the tribal people till date.
COPTAM also denounces the state government for failing to respond to the letter sent by National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on the issues raised by it, the statement added. The state government is deliberately undermining and neglecting the queries made by a constitutionally instituted Commission, it alleged and said that the act of the government amounts to contempt of the Indian Constitution.
In view of the indifferent attitude of the state government to its rightful and genuine demands, COPTAM is constrained to resume its agitation sooner or later after seeking support from the civil apex body and student organizations, it threatened.
COPTAM also said it appeals to the people of the state not to get the wrong impression when it takes up the agitation again, seeking cooperation and support from all concerned in its effort to fulfill its legitimate demands.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/coptam-to-resume-stir/
