MANIPUR BHAVAN PROTEST: Arrested agitators released from police custody

Naga Hoho has condemned baton charge by errant police personnel on tribal students who were demanding to revoke the three anti-tribal bills passed by the state govt 

DIMAPUR, JUNE 8: AROUND forty persons, who were arrested by the Delhi police during and after the violent protest rally outside Manipur Bhavan on Tuesday night, were released this morning. Till the time of filing this report, there was no confirmation of FIR being lodged against the protestors.

An official of the Manipur Tribal’s Forum Delhi (MTFD) told Eastern Mirror over the phone that all the MPs and leaders from the region were closely following the incident. It was informed that the chief minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, who is currently in Delhi, met the MTFD members on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Nagaland’s representative at the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio also visited the hospital where the injured protestors were being treated. Some of the severely injured agitators were still receiving medical treatment even as most of the others have been discharged from the hospital, it was informed.

The MTFD members also met the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday. He was briefed of the incident and, in return, Rijiju assured the MTFD members of all possible assistance to help resolve the incident that occurred on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the Naga Hoho has vehemently condemned the excessive use of force by Delhi Police and Manipur Rifles upon the peaceful protesters outside Manipur Bhavan, New Delhi yesterday.
Naga Hoho, Administration Secretary Chitho Nyusou in a statement, said the incident leading to a lathicharged upon the peaceful protesters has to be invistigated and befitting action be accorded upon the culprits. Nyusou demanded that peaceful protesters lodged in lock up and jails be released immediately and medical expenses be given to the injured.

“The act of the Manipur Rifles manning the gate and throwing stones upon the peaceful protesters from the Manipur Bhavans terrace thereby leading to the chaotic situation and the brutality displayed by both the Delhi Police and the Manipur Rifles, causing serious injuries, assaulting and even to the extent of molesting two women protesters says it all. Peaceful protesters being thrashed, kicked and trampled upon even inside the PCR van explains how the use of excessive force, assault, torture and terrorising upon the Hill people of Manipur was disgustedly executed.”

It may be mentioned that Manipur Tribals’ Forum, Delhi (MTFD) were gathered outside Manipur Bhavan to register their resentment against the three anti-tribal bills and the ‘All Manipur political party’ delegates. The tribal political party like the NPF was not part of the delegation. “The so-called All Political Party is a farcical representation yet again led by Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, Nyusou said. The Naga Hoho prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured protesters and to give more courage and strength to the Hill people of Manipur.

Shutdown affects normal life in Manipur

A dawn-to-dusk general strike called by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), to protect the indigenous people of the state, paralysed normal life in Manipur on Wednesday.
All educational institutes, shops and commercial establishments and public facilities were shut down. No vehicle except those exempt by the JCILPS plied on the streets. Attendance in hospitals and essential services was low. The protests come a day after it was officially conveyed that President Pranab Mukherjee has refused assent to the three contentious bills.

The bills are the Manipur Land Reforms and Land Revenue (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015, the Manipur Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Protection of Peoples Bill, 2015. B.K. Moirangcha, convener in charge of the JCILPS said: “It is in protest against refusal by the central government to give assent to the three bills intended to regularise the entry of migrant workers and protect the indigenous people. The motive of the central government in refusing to give the assent is questionable. There are 39 ethnic tribes and communities in Manipur and these bills are for their protection.”

Meanwhile tribal organisations have announced the imposition of a 10-day economic blockade along the national highways from Thursday midnight. In practical terms it will hit the entire state since nothing can be brought to Manipur as the highways snake through tribal villages. Besides seriously ill persons, candidates for various job interviews and students cannot leave Imphal during this siege. All work in national projects like laying down rail lines will be banned during the blockade.

A statement said: “The tribals in Manipur have been ill treated and the three bills are just one instance. We shall take nothing short of a permanent and sustainable solution.” The tribal organisations maintain that this is not the end of the problems of tribals. “There are other plans like commissions on population and land reforms which will be against the interest of the tribals. Besides there is a growing demand to make the valley dwellers, the Meiteis, the majority community – Scheduled Tribe. The tribals seem to fear that if the educationally and otherwise advanced communities become tribals they will usurp the job reservations and other benefits.

Meanwhile, students and women have been launching various forms of agitation. The roadmap has changed from Wednesday following the refusal by the President to give assent to the three bills passed by the Manipur Assembly on August 31, 2015.
(IANS)