NSF said it supported the democratic agitation launched by the tribal students’ community of Manipur whose sole aspiration is aimed at achieving “constitutionally guaranteed rights” of the tribal populace.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) on Thursday expressed shocked over the arbitrary arrests of Tribal student leaders by Manipur police personnel and locked them up at various police stations in Imphal.
The detained student leaders belonged to All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), and Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO-CHQ).
NSF in a press statement issued jointly by its vice-president, Atokiho Sumi, and general secretary, Shipuning Philo, said it supported the democratic agitation launched by the tribal students’ community of Manipur whose sole aspiration is aimed at achieving “constitutionally guaranteed rights” of the tribal populace in the State and the same has to be respected and upheld in toto by the State government.
It said that the NSF in no way recognizes the arbitrarily drawn artificial boundaries which have placed the Naga people under various administrative units within India and beyond.
However, the compulsions of the time have forced the Naga people, wherever they are placed, to fight for their dignity to be respected by all opposing forces leading to repressive measures being thrust upon them by the dominant groups and incidents such as this one is a reflection of the same, added the NSF.
Further, condemning the unlawful arrest of the student leaders and fearing for their wellbeing while being in police custody, NSF has assured for prayers and to extend all its possible support to secure the unconditional and immediate release of the detained student leaders.