Newmai News Network Imphal | June 29 The All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) and All Tribal Rights Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) have apprised Manipur Governor, Dr Najma Heptulla on the number of issues including Manipur University impasse, the border row and the cease work strike by government employees, saying that the Governor’s prompt intervention has become a matter of urgency in order to address the problems. Regarding the Manipur University impasse, the two tribal bodies said that the prolonging impasse over the demand for the removal of the Vice Chancellor has deprived thousands of students by way of adversely affecting their academic “privileges.” The AMTU and ATRPFM also said, “It is obvious that the policy of the State government is to create Manipur a centre of higher academic attraction globally.” The two bodies then said that, as envisaged by the Governor and the Chief Minister that investigation is assured by the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry, it is anticipated that it will take place at the earliest. “As such, it is our heartfelt plead through your good self to all concerned that patience be endured to pave a pattern for such mechanism so that students are not obstructed from their academic affairs which are all time bound in one’s life of this academically competitive era”, the two tribal organizations added. According to them, democratic protests are appreciated, “however, unlawful activities such as obstructing normal academic processes may not be appropriate at this deemed prestigious university for it will project the varsity in a non-conclusive academic atmosphere to the world”. The AMTU and ATRPFM felt that this may, in turn, repel other intending students of other states and countries to enroll in the varsity. The two tribal student bodies then said, “Such frequent agitations in the State also compelled our children to pursue education in other States while draining out money from our State as once stated by our Hon’ble Speaker of the Legislative Assembly”. Hence, the two organizations asserted, “A probe or investigation must be given a chance for anyone to access fair trial, otherwise anything under duress or pressure is akin to mob -justice that will malign the image of Manipur in general and Manipur University in particular toward uncivilized society tag embroiled with martial breed”. On the border row, the AMTU and the ATRPFM alleged that the Manipur’s territory was encroached by the neighbouring country i.e. Myanmar for around 3 km by erecting the border fencing at Kwatha Khunnou under Tengnoupal district, Manipur. However, the AMTU and ATRPFM attributed the lack of security vigil along the international border. “As such, in addition to the present security forces posted at the area, it is urged to deploy more security forces of the BSF to operate in the border areas with constant patrolling so that such issue may not crop up again in the near future,” the two tribal bodies urged. On the cease work strike by the government employees, the AMTU and ATRPFM said, “It is our appeal to the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur to kindly initiate the State Government to intimate and facilitate a parley over the prolong cease work strike at Directorate offices of Manipur since 90 days now”. The AMTU and the ATRPFM then said that the cease work strike being launched for such 90 days has been obstructing the services and normal file procedures for the public. “Moreover, the oriented schemes and developmental projects are halted which affects mainly poor people, especially of the hilly areas,” they pointed out. “The agitation has been prompted by non-implementation of the 7th Pay Commission but appalling of price hike on essential commodities directly affects the daily life of the common people in Manipur dragging them to economic poverty,” the two organizations also stated. “As such, we appeal the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur to kindly look into the public grievances and request for special financial grant for the logging 7th Pay demand in the state to the Union government so as to bring an early solution”, they appealed.
