IMPHAL, August 14: The All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) will not allow any changes in the reservation quota of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students during admissions at the Manipur University (MU), ATSUM president Muan Tombing stated on Thursday.
Speaking to media persons at its Nagaram office, the ATSUM president said that the Central government has approved 31 percent reservations for ST students during admissions in MU two years ago but authorities have withheld the reservations by issuing a staying order on July 28.
MU professors have decided in a meeting held yesterday to keep the reservations for ST students at 7.5 percent instead of the stipulated 31 percent which is not in the interest of the tribal students of the State, he added.
ATSUM will fight tooth and nail for the rights of the tribal people particularly for the students, Tombing said adding that they will lodge a complaint to Union Human Resource Development ministry at the earliest.
The decision of the MU professors goes against the interests of the Tribals, so all the Tribals need to join hand in fighting for their rights particularly the students, the ATSUM president said.
He also stated that the State government should lift 144 CrPC and recall all the security forces deployed at Ukhrul if it seriously desires peace and harmony for all the people living in the State.
ATSUM has been observing the situation in Ukhrul for quite some time and it is about time for the Government to recall the additional security forces from the town apart from lifting 144 CrPC which has only created tension in the district, Tombing said.
Our Kangpokpi Correspondent adds: The All Manipur Tribal Students’ Union Manipur today warned of various agitations if the Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 is not implemented in the current academic session.
ATSUM is shocked to learn that the Manipur University Administrative Council has decided to follow the Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 from the academic session 2015 – 16 pointed out Emboi Serto before adding that the Act which was passed by an Act of Parliament is to be followed strictly.
There must be no excuses and grounds for postponing the implementation of the Amendment Act asserted Emboi.
He continued while noting that the very Amendment Act was sent to the Manipur University authority on September 25, 2012 while adding that Act should have been implemented during the 2013-14 session.
The tribal student apex body president further said that one academic year has been lost due to the bad intention of MU authority.
ATSUM has in 2007 objected to the 7.5 percent reservation as tribals constitute more than 40% and there was chaos for months and MU was burning while the ultimate outcome was IGNTU, Emboi added.
Let us not play with the Amendment Act which was passed by the Parliament, Emboi warned before adding that if MU authority insist on postponing the implementation of the Amendment Act, ATSUM will be compelled to take whatever means at its proposal.
He also called for government’s immediate intervention and see that the Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 is followed from 2014-15 Academic session.
