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North East : Tribal meet rejects NDA draft policy

	September 27, 2004

Tribal organisations have rejected the draft national policy that was prepared by the previous NDA regime saying the document is unlikely to address the problems faced by the communities.

The resolution, adopted by the National Assembly of Tribal, Indigenous and Adivasi Peoples on September 21, following a conference in Delhi, stated that the draft lacks “specific reference” to human rights and constitutional rights of tribals, which is believed to be the root cause of exploitation.

It stated that a “commitment” to the provisions of the Constitution must be the basis of a policy that will ensure an “integrated development approach”.

The draft policy was an attempt at evolving a national policy for tribals.

D. Roy Laifungbam, one of the representatives from the North East, said the policy could be more harmful for tribals as traditional cultures were fast eroding in the region.

“The core objective of the draft is to assimilate, that could ultimately destroy the tribal culture and religion. This means that diversity among the tribes will not be respected. Influx into the region has already put a severe strain on the cultures,” he said.

“Nobody from the North East was consulted when the draft was prepared,” the delegate added.

Besides alleging that the draft uses “offensive” descriptions, the three-day conclave came to the conclusion that the stress on implementing the existing safeguards is “inadequate”.

The Delhi conference was attended by more than a hundred delegates from all states of the country, including 20 from the North East. Tribal Affairs Minister P.R. Kyndiah was present at the conference.

Unrest in Manipur continues

Unrest in Manipur continues. The state chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has again incurred the wrath of the Apunba Lup, spearheading the two-month old mass agitation against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, for accepting a Central Government proposal to have a united headquarters for Manipur on the lines of the politico-military authority in Jammu and Kashmir.

The organisation has accused the chief minister of “dishonouring the sentiments and aspirations” of the people of Manipur.

The unified headquarters will vest enormous responsibilities on the Army, whose Divisional Commander will function as the security adviser to Ibobi Singh. The chief minister will be the chairman of the unified command council.

“Ibobi’s nod to the move at a time when the entire population of Manipur is crying for the withdrawal of the armed forces act has made it very clear that he wants human rights abuse and extra-judicial killings by security forces to continue. Ibobi has handed over the lives of the people to the security forces on a platter,” the Apunba Lup said.

“His rule will do more harm than good to the state. History and the people will never forgive Ibobi for his stand against the aspirations of the people,” it said.

The working committee said the erstwhile Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh ministry had consistently opposed any move to increase the army’s role in counter-insurgency operations in Manipur, but Ibobi Singh undid that by “surrendering” to the Centre.

According to north east watchers, the decision to form a unified headquarters could deter the Apunba Lup from starting a dialogue with either the state government or the Centre.