JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST ANTI-TRIBAL BILLS

JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST ANTI-TRIBAL BILLS Press communique Tribute to the Nine Tribal Martyrs Lamka, the 9th March. 2016 18th March, 2016 will mark the 200th day of our sorrow and unrelenting struggle for justice and our continued fight for tribal land, rights and identity. The three anti-tribal Bills were passed by the Manipur State Assembly' on 31st August, 2015: the days that follow witness a sudden uproar among the tribals of Manipur which is a culmination of the rage and resentment felt against decades of subjugation, marginalization and exclusion policies of the Manipur Government towards the tribals. Nine tribal brave hearts gave their lives in a supreme sacrifice for the tribal cause, becoming Tribal Martyrs. Their mortal remains still await acceptable solution for their fellow tribals and an honourable burial. 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 Joint Action Committee against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) intends to continue the struggle until such time as favourable solution is achieved. The JAC would like to humbly appeal to the general public to kindly co-operate in the programme marking the 200th day of our continued mourning and struggle. The plan for the same is outlined below: [transcript by Virthli] 1. 15-Hour Total Shutdown of Lamka and its vicinity, the epicentre of the ongoing Tribal Movement. All shops and establishments will down their shutters, and all vehicles not ply on the road from the midnight of 17th March, 2016 till 3:00 p.m. of 18th March. 2016 as a mark of respect and mounting for the nine Tribal Martyrs. 2. Gun Salute to the Tribal Martyrs. Tribal licensed gun-owners to fire their guns into the air (using gun powder) from their respective homes at 9:00 a. m. of 18th March, 2016 as a tribute to the nine Tribal Martyrs. 3. Homage to Tribal Martyrs and Mass Prayer for Tribal Movement from 5:00 p.m. at Lamka Public Ground. Details of the above plan outline will be announced shortly. Information anti Publicity Department