CHURACHANDPUR, March 9: The JAC against the anti-tribal Bills while marking the 200th day of its movement against the bills, has announced several steps including a 15-hour shutdown of Lamka and its vicinity.
A statement of the JAC issued by its Information and Publicity department said the programmes marking the day including 15-hour total shutdown of Lamka and its vicinity, the epicentre of the ongoing tribal movement and that all shops and establishments will down their shitters, and all vehicles not ply on the road from the midnight of March 17 till 3pm of March 18 as a mark of respect and mourning for the nine tribal martyrs.
It said as a gun salute to the tribal martyrs, tribal licenced gun-owners are asked to fire their guns into the air (using gun powder) from their respective homes at 9am of March 18 as a tribute to the nine tribal martyrs.
It also said homage to the tribal martyrs and a mass prayer for the movement will be held from 5pm at Lamka Public Grounf.
According to the statement March 18 will mark the 200th day of “unrelenting struggle for justice and continued fight for tribal land, rights and identity.”
It said the three anti-tribal bills were passed on August 31, 2015.
It said “Nine tribal brave hearts gave their lives in a supreme sacrifice for the tribal cause, becoming tribal martyrs. Their mortal remains still await an acceptable solution for their fellow tribals and honourable burial.”
It said “With the union government in New Delhi and the State government in Imphal still refusing to acknowledge our anguish, and claims for what is rightfully ours as enshrined in the Constitution of India, the JAC intends to continue the struggle until such time as favourable solution is achieved.”
