Imphal, November 23: The Thadou Students`™ Association General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) thanked all members of the public who supported the 48-hour bandh that concluded on the midnight of November 20, to protest against Manipur Government`™s plan to acquire 3000 acres of land in Moreh (Haolenphai) for the proposed smart city, said James Haokip, General Secretary, TSA-GHQ.
While speaking to the media at the Christian Hospital this evening James further said that it is only because of the support from the public that the peoples`™ bandh went off effectively without any major untoward incident.
He further said that the TSA regretted about the incident in which a 10 year old boy, Reetesh Poudel from Daili Village, Sadar Hills, sustained injury as a tear gas bomb he picked up from near his residence suddenly exploded in his hand.
Only the state government is to blame for this incident and should take responsibility for the incident and treatment of the boy he added.
The TSA strongly condemned the security forces for not using tear gas bombs in a safe manner and thereby causing injury to a boy who had nothing to do with the bandh.
James further said that the boy was admitted to Imphal Christian Hospital on humanitarian ground on the same day and the boy is undergoing treatment.
The TSA urged the government to attend to the boy immediately and bears all the expenses incurred towards his treatment, cautioning the association would otherwise take up actions it deems fit to ensure that the boy gets justice.
The TSA also appealed to the school authority to give special consideration to the boy as Reetesh would not be able to give his upcoming final exam.
Reetesh is currently in Standard VI student studying in St Francis School (SFS) s/o Prakash Poudel from Daili.
James said the statement of Minister Govindas quoted in the Imphal Free Press (July 22 issue) where he is quoted to have said the land in question had been acquired, is not correct, and that he had only said that the government would be acquiring 3000 acre of land in Moreh for the proposed smart city in Moreh.
In this connection, the TSA demanded the minister/state government offers an official clarification through the same newspaper and offer public apology to the affected tribal community for having hurt the tribals`™ sentiment and for having wreaked much havoc with the community.
He further said that TSA stands firm whether the land had been acquired or it is still a plan to acquire, and TSA is opposed to the smart city or new township plan in tribal area and thus the acquisition of land or any plan that that is against tribal interest, particularly at the cost of tribal rights to their culture.
Regarding the demand put forward to the government, Govindas Konthoujam, Industries minister, invited the TSA for a talk on December 4 and the leaders of the association is still in the process of discussion and consultation whether to accept the invitation and attend the talk, however TSA remains unchanged.
In this connection, TSA Delhi branch has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on November 19 and a peaceful protest was organised by TSA Delhi branch on November 22 at Jantar Mantar.
James also said that TSA is all prepared to further take up any form of democratic agitation at any time until the demand is met.
The students association also thanked the general public for the cooperation and the following associations and clubs for their support and commitment for the tribal cause and in making the effective: Kuki Inpi, Sadar Hills, Kuki Women Union, Sadar Hills, Kuki Students`™ Organisation, Sadar Hills, Motbung Area Women Union, Gamgiphai Village Authority (V/A) and youth club, Keithelmanbi Youth Union, Leikop Area Youth Union, Supporters At New Keithelmanbi and Sehjang Villages, All Tribal Women Oeganisation, (ATWO) Chandel District, Moinoi Area Welfare Committee , Saivom V/A and Youth Club, All the sisters tribe representative particiapate in Delhi protest demonstration, All the chiefs, villagers and youth clubs of all the villages along the National Highways and all the volunteers who endured hardships to make the bandh effective day and night during the bandh period.