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Imphal, Mar 6 : The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) is organizing an `academic consultation` on Saturday at Kuki Inn, Imphal.
The tribal students` body sends out its cordial invitation to tribal academics, intellectuals, legal experts, senior citizens and mandated civil societies to participate in the said consultation.
According to ATSUM, between 1947 and 1971, Manipur Hill Minister (and later Chairman of Autonomous District Council) were empowered as final arbitrators with matters like settlement of land disputes, ownership of land, maintenance of land, management of forest, land cultivation and jhuming; recommendation of legislation of the government of Manipur in regard to social and custom of tribals, inheritance of property, marriage and successions. Over and above this, development and social justice activities were also given to the said minister/chairman.
” After 1972, many of these posts, powers and activities of the tribals were curtailed. By 1998-99, tribals are frustrated by this curtailment of their rights and therefore decided not to cooperate with the District Councils and its election.
Without first addressing the issue of the past frustration and non function of the District Councils, the state government is preparing to conduct Election of the District Council after a gap of 20 (twenty) years.” the ATSUM said.
“It is true that due to the non functioning of the Autonomous District Councils, its powers and functions had gone to numerous exploiters that need to be immediately stopped.In this juncture ATSUM feels the need to have and indebt discussion on the issue,” added the ATSUM communique.