Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, May 10
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the Government of Manipur not paying heed to the various tribal organisations’ demand to remove Agriculture minister Md Abdul Nasir from his post, an intense form of agitation is on the offing.
Sources informed Newmai News Network this evening that an influential tribal organisation is campaigning in the hill districts in the past few days to initiate a very strong form of statewide agitation. “Yes, we are convening a meeting next week and we are now consulting various tribal organisations to resort to a very stern form of agitation,” said a student union leader.
David Zamzathang, Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) of Thoubal district, was allegedly abused and humiliated by Agriculture minister Md Abdul Nasir sometime ago.According to the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM), on the fateful day of April 24 at around 5:30 pm, David Tualzathang, ZEO/BDO Thoubal district as summoned over phone by the Agricultural minister, went to meet the latter at his official quarter. The minister had asked the ZEO whether the school management and Development Committee (SMDC) of Laiphrakpam Laishram Mamang Leikai Primary School, Lilong was approved by him. When the ZEO replied in affirmative, the minister stood up and physically assaulted by giving blows and verbally hurling offensive and discriminatory words.
In this connection, ATSUM led by Muan Tombing had submitted a representation to Dr. Rameshwar Oraon, chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, New Delhi regarding the institution of immediate action against Md. Nasir, Agriculture minister, Government of Manipur as per Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste (prevention of atrocities) Act, 1989 for his alleged racial discrimination and atrocities to a tribal Zonal Education Officer/District project officer of Thoubal district, Manipur.
The Churachandpur District Students’ Union (CDSU) and Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM), the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), the apex students’ organization of the Tanglhul community and several other tribal bodies have also joined the oust Manipur Agriculture minister Md Abdul Nasir campaign.
Meanwhile, the sources said it is likely that by Wednesday a concrete decision to resort to stern form of agitation will be taken.
