Representatives of several tribal organisations and CSOs on Saturday took a resolution called ‘Haipi Pledge’ and unanimously decided not to accept any land laws or forest laws, enacted by the state government “which undermines and dilute upon the letter and spirit of the existing separate and special provision of the hill people.”
The resolution was taken during the 2nd General Assembly of ATSUM for the tenure 2020-22 held on July 15, stated a release. It was taken by All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM), president of All Naga Students’ Association (ANSAM), president of Kuki Students’ Organisation – general headquarters (KSO-GHQ), president of Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), president of Tangkhul Katamnao Sakong (TKS), president of Naga Students’ Union Chandel (NSUC), chairman of Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) and convenor of Joint Students’ Body (JSBC), it stated.
It also resolved to protect the constitutional rights, customary laws and practices of the tribal communities.
Considering the sorry state of affairs of the Education system especially in hill districts, the Assembly also recommended the constitution of an Education Commission by the state government.
The Assembly also unanimously resolved demanding the tabling of HAC recommended ‘The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021’ in the Manipur Legislative Assembly by striving together until the demand is met by the state government, it mentioned.
Any exploration or exploitation of Natural resources in tribal land should be acceptable and beneficial to the land owners, the Assembly further resolved, it further stated.
The house resolved to fight tooth and nail against any form or kind of imposition of major language upon tribal people, it added.
