It questioned the democratic credentials of the State Government saying that the type of Government “we attribute” is largely based on its proclivity and sensitivity to socio-environmental derivatives of its people, namely culture, custom and tradition. These three important factors frame “our social nature”.
AMTU claimed that Government Acts like Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act 1960, Indian Forest Act 1927, Manipur Forest Act Rules 1971, Abolition of Chief Rights Act 1967 etc. have totally overlooked the three factors - culture, custom and tradition of the hill people of Manipur.
The tribal body invoked Chinese philosopher Confucius to drive home a ‘three factor’ point that the Government should give their people peace and order, which will only come if people learn to be kind, considerate and respectful to each other.
“Although we claim to be a democracy in toto, we are in the trend of a mixed governance whereby the three principles of democracy have been overlooked, which is why and how so many hill insurgent groups have cropped up in Manipur”, it said.
“Hence, it is time the State Government secured the loyalty of the hill people and promulgates autonomy, preferably the Sixth Schedule or any other reasonable Autonomous District Council as a remedy to the past backlog of political frustration among the hill tribal people”, it cautioned, “Lest a sea-saw game of agitation will persist into the future of Manipur.”
It reminded that the recent voices of dissent against Autonomic District Council Act of 2008 (Third Amendment Act) was because the tribal people of the State are “oppressed and suppressed by power dominant State Government on matters like Census, Tribal sub plan and Finance Commission.”- TSE
