Manipur: NEFIS statement condemning killing of 8 people and injuring many in Churchandpur

September 6, 2015
PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITY A LITMUS TEST OF DEMOCRACY IN WHICH MANIPUR GOVERNMENT FAILS!
NEFIS CONDEMNS THE MERCILESS KILLING OF 8 PEOPLE AND INJURING OF MANY IN CHURCHANDPUR DISTRICT OF MANIPUR!
NEFIS DEMANDS THREE ANTI-TRIBAL BILLS TO BE WITHHELD IMMEDIATELY!
North East Forum for International Solidarity(NEFIS) deeply condemns the merciless killing of 8 people and injuring of many in Churchandpur district of Manipur by the state forces. In a highly divisive move the Manipur Legislative Assembly passed three anti tribal community bills. It is to be noted that three bills were passed without any consultation and discussion with the tribal communities of Manipur. The three bills passed in the Assembly were Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms(Seventh amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishments(Second Amendment) Bill, 2015. Five people were alone killed in a general strike called by a tribal student organization against the Bills.
This repression by the state government on the tribal community is not only an attack on democratic values but it also reflects the marginalization of tribals in the decision making. There is deep insecurity within the tribal communities who are also under-represented in the Legislative assembly. NEFIS demands the bills should be withheld and immediately stopped from implementation and should follow with wide ranging discussion on the issue. Protection of rights of tribal communities is the litmus test of democracy which the Manipur government has failed to pass till date. No bill with an impact on the lives and condition of tribals should be passed without taking into confidence the common populace of hills.