While taking serious note of the development the ANSAM and KSO said that the 'adamant attitude' of the state government of Manipur towards the tribals had led to the ugly episode of the July 29 in and around Kangvai village in Churachandpur district resulting in physical injuries of some of the leaders of Churachandpur District Students’ Union (CDSU).

"This situation took place in the backdrop of the democratic agitation launched by Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas in Manipur (COPTAM) for protection of the rights of the tribals from the hands of unscrupulous aggressors and has been seen as the direct handiwork of the state government of Manipur," KSO and ANSAM leaders said today.

"The anomalies in the process of conducting census operation in some tribal villages under Churachandpur district despite objections raised by the concern effected villagers is a direct challenge to the existence of tribal in their own land since time immemorial. It is a matter of concern for the tribal at large to learn that, inspite of the formulated instructions of Census Village Code and Enumerator Block, enumerators from the valley districts continues to conduct census operation in many villages of Churachandpur district. As a result, some of these overlapping villages have been reportedly included in the valley districts without the free, prior and informed consent of the concerned villages in the hills. This has been done intentionally after the matter was officially brought before the notice of the State Government of Manipur at different levels. We, therefore, strongly question the interest and motive of the state government for attempting to assimilate the tribals and their lands through census exercises," the two tribal students' organisations said.

ANSAM and KSO then said that they fully extend their solidarity to the ongoing agitation launched by Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas in Manipur (COPTAM) against the state government of Manipur (COPTAM) in the issue.

The two students' bodies then call upon all the right thinking tribal citizens to come forward and unitedly stand together to defend and safeguard the inherent rights of the tribal our people and their lands. "It is our resolute stand that we would not remain silent spectators if the state government continues to infringe upon the interest and mutual co-existence of the tribal communities," ANSAM and KSO affirmed.

Hueiyenlanpao