Dimapur, November 4 (MExN): All tribal students' organizations from Manipur in Delhi have decided to demand a separate ‘hill university’ for tribals of Manipur. The Manipur hill university demand committee of Delhi today said a meeting was held November 1 at Nagaland Guest House at RK Puram. The members strongly felt the need to secure the educational rights of the tribals of Manipur and the earlier Manipur University as well as the present university has failed to serve the educational interest of the tribals of the state.
The attitude of the Government of Manipur as well as the authorities of the university has severely marginalized the tribals, which is evident in the area of education as well as other areas too’ the MHUDCD today said in a statement from its convener Yaronsho Ngalung. To pursue the demand of the Manipur tribals, tribal students' organizations from Manipur have constituted the Manipur Hill University Demand Committee, Delhi, it said.
To redress the progressive rights and interest of the tribals, the committee said, as well as to secure their future from all ‘unwanted forces’ that the state machinery has “capitalized”, the tribals of Manipur should be granted a ‘hill university’ that will empower them as well as their constitutional rights.
The committee expressed strong condemnation for the authorities of Manipur University for segregating and discriminating the educational rights of tribals by exercising “all sorts of biasness and prejudices, which is unfair and unjust”. The committee censured the ‘attitude and actions’ of Manipur University authorities that resulted in the withdrawal of all tribal students from the university and surrendering their certificates. “While the university authorities should be sympathizing and empathizing (with) the grievances of the tribal students, the authorities deliberately resorted to remain insensitive and callous” the committee lamented.
“The attitude of the authorities of Manipur University under the Vice Chancellor has been negating the existence of the tribals of the state. The experience of the tribals in Manipur compels us to demand for a hill university exclusively for the tribals in Manipur. This is the only solution to address and redress the aspirations of the tribals in Manipur. The committee appeals to all like-minded organizations and individuals to stand up for justice and fairness and support the cause of the tribals of Manipur” the committee appealed.
