With reference to the news report published in the Imphal Free Press – “ANSAM acts as mouthpiece of NSCN (IM)” by K. Ranjit dated 5th June 2010, is overtly casting a malicious and cheap propaganda against ANSAM in particular and the tribal people in general. The allegation of interpreting the act of ongoing economic blockade as a mouthpiece of NSCN (IM) and a movement instigated by vested organizations to achieve the objective of the NSCN – IM to disintegrate Manipur is an expression of disgruntled opinion to marginalize the failure of the state government.
The attempt of Mr. K. Ranjit while addressing the inaugural function of Thoubal Babu Bazar to cry fowl against ANSAM as the caused of the untold miseries of the people to garner the sympathy and support for the govt. has not relevance. This is rather an attempt to build up communal card and add fuel to the burning fire. Such parochial episode amount to distorting the tribal issue to cover his incompetence and his nexus with some valley based armed group. This is an irresponsible approach which is uncalled for and highly condemnable.
In fact the present agitation has been carried out after communicating through democratic representation the recommendation of the tribal people arrived at the grass root findings to reject in its present form the 3rd Amendment (2008) of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 was not respected by the state governments. All through the democratic process explore peaceful means to approach the state government for addressing the tribal people’s rights.
However, the imposition of unwanted legislation has become obvious as a clandestine design to marginalize, colonize and systemically annihilates the tribal people’s rights by the state govt. of Manipur. The ongoing people’s movements for amendment to the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 have been manifested in clear terms.
The present inconvenience arising out of the ongoing economic blockade is not intentional but demonstration of loud and clear spontaneous expression of the tribal people interest to secure their rightful place in the democratic set up. After the state government fails to respond the genuine appeal to review the unwanted Act of 2008, ANSAM has been compelled to initiate vigorous steps.
The tribal people can not accept such wrong and malicious agenda of the state govt. through their Ministers. Come what may the only option left for the tribal people is to out rightly defend their rights.
Publicity wing, ANSAM
