Zingtun Tangkhul Katamnao Long has instructed its federating units to refrain from participating or extending any support towards the proposed visit of chief minister of Manipur to LM Block on December 20 for inaugurating Sadbhavna Mandap, Bank and Police Station at LM Block. The LM Block is located between Phalee and Teinem villages and the plot was donated by the two villages.
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
Zingtun Tangkhul Katamnao Long (ZTKL) has decided to boycott the proposed visit of chief Minister N Biren Singh to LM Block on December 20 and the has directed its federating units to refrain from participation and extending any support to the government. It is learnt that CM will inaugurate the Sadbhavna Mandap, Bank and Police Station at LM Block, about 24 km from Ukhrul District Headquarters.
On September 5, 2021, taking serious exception to the series of “anti-tribal policies” of Biren-led BJP Government, the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) had resolved to socially boycott the chief minister and the speaker and announced a non-cooperation movement against the state government till the fulfilment of all the demands put forth by the student body.
Zingtun Tangkhul Katamnao Long (ZTKL), a zonal unit of TKS and apex student body of Western Tangkhul in a notification dated December 18, 2021 had issued to its federating units under ZTKL to refrain from participating or extending any support towards the proposed visit plan of chief minister of Manipur to LM Block on December 20. Sadbhavna Mandap is located between Phalee and Teinem villages. The plot was donated by the two villages.
President of Teinem Katamnao Long (TKL), Chihanshok Langkham had issued a similar notice. “Teinem Katamnao Long (Tn.KL) in furtherance of the boycotted statement from the apex body, TKS, reaffirmed to boycott the Government of Manipur until our demands are met. Further, we the Teinem Katamnao Long under the directive of Zingtun Katamnao Long, we are refrain from participating or extending any support towards the proposed upcoming visit of Chief Minister of Manipur to LM. Block on December 20, 2021,” said the notice.
TKS observed that the real threat to tribal existence, identity, land and culture is the state government itself. The student body “in no uncertain term” warned that there will be an “all out civil movement for separate statehood of the hills” if the situation so compels.
The student body also said it was aware of the “aggressive territorial pursuit of the state government targeting the Hill Areas through legislative fraud such as the Manipur International University Act, 2021 and now the newly introduced Manipur Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion & Facilitation) Bill, 2021”.
TKS reminded that there is no government Khas land in the hill areas of Manipur and the ownership of land in the hill villages of Manipur vests in the villagers themselves. The student body said that the tribal community within the state do not hold their land “under the pleasure of the state government and pointed out the cases – N Lokho vs. State of Manipur and C. Wungam vs. Union of India.
TKS had also demanded for immediate revocation of the impugned Order No. 5/11/(2) 2021-LA(Secy) dated 01.09.2021 issued by the Speaker, Manipur and timely tabling of the proposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021 as provided under Paragraph 2 of the Third Schedule to the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972 and Rule 12A of the Rules of Business of the Government of Manipur, 1972.