Zomi Nam Ni Delhi 2016

The Zomis in the national capital celebrated Zomi Nam Ni at Vikaspuri on 20 February 2016. The event was organised by Zomi Innkuan Delhi in partnership with the Zomi Students' Federation, Delhi Cell. Zomis from different parts of the city came together to observe this important day.

~ KHALVONTAWI NEWS

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KV NEWS 2008

 

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Manipur Hills Continue to Simmer with Tension

OVER four weeks after Manipur state assembly passed three bills arguably to protect the rights of indigenous people, tension continues to simmer in the hill areas of the state with Churachandpur being the focal point.

During the passing of the three controversial bills, no tribal legislator reportedly objected nor raised their voice. This angered the public leading to the burning of houses belonging to tribal MLAs and ministers, including of Minister of Health and Family Welfare Phungzathang Tonsing, and Lok Sabha member Thangso Baite, in Churachandpur.

The violence that followed and the consequent police action left nine people dead. The deceased have been identified as Pausuanlian, 19, Thangzalian, 30, H. Paulianmang, 23, Robert V. Jamminthang, 30, Khamsianmuan, 22, Khaijamang Touthang, 11, Henlalson, 18, K. Lamkhenthang, 45, and Enkhankhup, 20.

Following a mass agitation by the people of the four valley districts of Manipur, the state assembly, in a specially convened session, passed the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015, the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015, without the consent of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) on August 31.

The tribal people contend that the bills would directly undermine the existing safeguards for the hill areas regarding land-ownership and population influx, as the primary threat for the tribal people came not from outside the state but the Meitei people from the valley itself.

Manipur's geographical area is 22,327 sq km of which the hill areas cover 20,089 sq km, and the valley has only 2,238 sq km. The ratio of tribal to non-tribal MLAs in the state assembly is 20:40. A series of developments since then has left the situation in a state of flux. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the bills was formed by Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Hmar Inpui, Zomi Council, Mizo People's Convention (Manipur) and Joint Philanthropic Organisations, Joint Women's Association and various tribal student bodies in Churachandpur on September 2. The JAC is now spearheading the movement seeking the withdrawal of the bills.

The JAC's demands are immediate withdrawal of the three bills, alternatively, the state government should convene a special assembly session within September and pass another bill for exclusion of area under the six autonomous district councils of Manipur, including pockets of land amalgamated with valley districts, without the knowledge and consent of the tribal people, from the three anti-tribal bills; and for a better administration and durable peace and development, the government must create a "separate political administration" for the tribal people outside the state government. Towards this objective, political talks with two underground outfits - Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United Peoples Front (UPF) - should be expedited, it demanded. 

The JAC petitioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 7 seeking a separate political administration for the tribal people of Manipur.

The KNO and UPF had signed a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Indian and Manipur governments in New Delhi on August 22, 2008. However, the two outfits have not been invited for political dialogue by the government till date.

Earlier the two groups had separate demands - the KNO fought for a Kuki state while the UPF wanted an autonomous hill state. After a joint meeting on September 13, the KNO and UPF sent delegates to New Delhi to seek the Centre's attention.

The leaders of KNO and UPF met R.N. Ravi, chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Centre's interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, on September 16.

'The delegates of KNO and UPF met me. I will convey their concerns to the home ministry," Ravi told North East Sun, 'The talks should begin."

Interestingly, Ravi visited Imphal on September 10 but did not visit Churachandpur for reasons unknown. Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh reportedly advised Ravi not to proceed beyond Imphal. Ibobi Singh, it is reported, told union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that the state government could handle the situation which was just an "internal matter".

Meanwhile, in Delhi, several tribal students' organisations of Manipur collectively held an emergency meeting after the violence of August 31 in Churachandpur and formed the Manipur Tribals' Forum, Delhi (MTDF). 

MTDF leaders, along with delegates of the Autonomous District Council of Churachandpur, met President Pranab Mukherjee, as well as union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram on September 22 submitted memorandums. The leaders also urged Oram to protect and safeguard the rights of the tribal people which is recognised by the Constitution of India.

They highlighted the major concerns of the tribal people and history of discrimination and subjugation by the state, and requested the president to consult Ashok Prasad, secretary for internal security in the union home ministry, who was sent as central observer to Churachandpur on September 22, before taking any decision on the bills.

Earlier, the MTFD had discussion with the delegations of the KNO and UPF. KNO delegats included its spokesperson Seilen Haokip and defence secretary T.S. Haokip while the UPF delegates included Aaron Kipgen, political convenor and Calvin H.

Kipgen affirmed that talks would be held with the central government soon. He said the union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed his readiness to start a political dialogue with the UPF and KNO and has directed the home secretary to initiate the process at the earliest.

The MTFD also met the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, Ravi, Lok Sabha member from Meghalaya P.A. Sangma, former home secretary G.K. Pillai, Rajnath Singh, and union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju among others. The forum also held a protest rally when Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh was in the Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi on September 20. The protestors were detained by Delhi Police and later released.

Meanwhile, the JAC also extended full support to the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM) ultimatum to all hill MLAs to resign on or before September 30.

Leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC), KNO and UPF held a meeting in Churachandpur on September 23 discussing the prevailing situation in Manipur and the political future of the tribal people.

In remembrance of honouring the nine people who died in the violence, a symbolic resting place called Salphate Zahna Pumbuk built at Lamka Community Hall was inaugurated on September 21.

On September 22, the Manipur government wrote to President Mukherjee urging him to give due assent to the three bills passed by the Manipur assembly for providing a constitutional safeguard to the indigenous people of Manipur. The three bills were referred to the president by the Manipur governor on September 17.

 "The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Manipur which often claims to represent the voice of the native people of Manipur is a misrepresentation of the factual situation in the state," Lakpachui Siro, spokesperson of the MTFD said. The JCILPS spearheaded the movement for the inner line permit system in Manipur.

"This demand committee only represent the Manipuris or Meitei Community who live in state capital Imphal. They are the inhabitants of four valley districts which is less than 10 percent of the total territory of the state. The remaining areas are inhabited by the tribal people under the broad family of Naga, Zomi, Kuki and Hmar.

Manipuris or Meiteis do not own land in five hill district which constitutes more than 90 percent of the state's territory as the land is protected under a special constitutional provision for the tribal people of the state," Siro said.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal 

NORTH EAST SUN | NEW DELHI | OCT 15, 2015 | 12-15

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Gurgaon assault on NE youths

Group of seven beats up two, tells students from Northeast to leave

New Delhi, Oct. 16, 2015: Two youths from Nagaland were beaten up today in Gurgaon by a group of people a day after a Manipuri engineering student and his two friends were assaulted in Bangalore for not speaking Kannada.

Police said a group of seven persons thrashed the two young men from Nagaland — Awang and Chester — with cricket bats and hockey sticks in the Sikanderpur area of Gurgaon early this morning. They later asked them to vacate the area where they had been living for the past four months.

A Manipuri man, who lives in the neighbourhood, witnessed the incident. He told thepolice that the victims were called out of their houses in Sikanderpur around 4am and taken to a nearby vegetable market and assaulted.

According to a member of the Northeast students’ support group, the attackers also shaved one of the victims’ head and asked them to tell their friends from the Northeast to leave Gurgaon.

“If you guys from Manipur and Nagaland come and stay here, we will kill you,” one of the attackers reportedly told the victims.

Both Chester and Awang were taken to a private hospital but moved to Gurgaon civil hospital because of the severity of their wounds. One of them was later shifted to south Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.

“He has been kept under observation and his condition is stable,” said a doctor at Safdarjung Hospital.

The police, however, said it was a drunken brawl and not a hate crime. A case was registered at DLF City Phase I police station.

Dalbir Singh, assistant commissioner of police, Gurgaon, said raids were being carried out to arrest the accused persons. “We registered the case under Section 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (assault), 506 (criminal intimidation) IPC and SC/ST Act today. This is not a hate crime. The local men and the victims were drinking in a room,” he said.

A senior police official said the victims had faced another such attack two months ago but did not take up the matter with the police after the area panchayat promised that they would come to no more harm.

Awang and Chester had shifted to the area four months ago and had been staying in a rented room. Both worked in a local factory and earned Rs 8,000 each.

“We are scared and filed an FIR and asked the police to take strict action against the culprits,” the eyewitnesses said. “They abused people from the Northeast and asked them to leave Sikandarpur and go to China,” he said. “We are also Indian and have every right to live where we want to. We are poor people and came to Gurgaon from our villages to earn money.”

Congress MP Ninong Ering, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, strongly condemned the assault and rued that the racial attacks against the Northeast people is on the rise.

“I strongly condemn the attacks. I have heard that local people from Sikandarpur where the victims lived said that they would not allow any more boys from the Northeast to live there. It’s unfortunate,” he said.

Ering, who is an MP from Arunachal East, said he would speak to home minister Rajnath Singh about the latest spurt in hate crimes against the people from the Northeast.

The minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju, is also from the Northeast.

Bruce K. Thangkhal, media in-charge, Northeast Support Centre (NESC) and helpline, said, “This is not the first time that such an incident has taken place. Many people from the Northeast have been assaulted in the past.

This is the second or third incident in the area in six months.

There are no CCTVs installed in the area either.”

Home minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah over phone and enquired about the assault on three northeastern students in Bangalore yesterday.

Siddaramaiah told him that the police responded quickly and arrested all those who were involved in the attack.

 

Courtesy: The Telegraph

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Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi leh ADCC team ten RN Ravi

New Delhi, Sep 15, 2015: Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi leh ADCC team ten zanin RN Ravi, interlocutor, Naga Peace Accord kimupih ua, tutung Manipur tribal buaina ah Central Intervention ding in ngen uhi. ADCC team in zong i nung lam inzong Delhi ah minister poimaw tuom tuom te kimupih uhi. 

Zani'n MTFD in Th Muivah kihoulimpihna nei ua, Muivah in singtangmite buaina ah panpih ut ahidan zong gen hi. 

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

Joint Editor. ZOGAM TODAY

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MTFD leh ADCC in Delhi ah Ravi leh Th Muivah kimupi

Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi (MTFD) leh Autonomous District Council Churachandpur (ADCC) team te'n zani, 14 September 2015, in RN Ravi, interlocutor, Naga Peace Accord kimupih ua, tutung Manipur tribal buaina ah Central Intervention ding in ngen uhi. ADCC team in zong i nung lam inzong New Delhi ah minister poimaw tuom tuom te kimupih uhi. MTFD in Th Muivah, General Secretary, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), kihoulimpihna nei ua, Muivah in singtangmite buaina ah panpih ut ahidan zong gen hi. 

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal 
Joint Editor, ZOGAM TODAY

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CT Lian in PA Sangma kung ah Rs 10 lakh ngen khie

New Delhi, Sept 11, 2015: Lamka sunga social worker minthang Pu Chintwahlian Guite @ CT Lian Guite, MDC, 16-New Lamka West in Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi toh kithuah in tuni’n Ex Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma atenna inn New Delhi ah kimupi ua, CT Lian in inung lam a Manipur a flood leh landslide ziehin niteng a neh-le-dawn zawnthu innkuan tampi’n haksatna tuo uh chi kikuppi hi.

Tuanah PA Sangma in sawt apat in MP fund apat sum piak kana sawm a ahihang in, koi pen ka pie ding adiei kana thei sih hi. Manipur solkal kung ah kana pekhie ut sih hi, azieh mipi khut a sum a tunlou ding ka zaau hi chi’n meeting ah gen hi. Tami idea pen ahileh CT Lian hing puohkhiet ahi.

Tami sum pen akinlam in ka hing pie sawm ding a, Tuesday ahilouleh Wednesday tan in Cheque in CCPur ADC chairman kung ah kana pie ding a, tami sum pen mipi te khut a atunna ding nang (CT Lian) leh Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi te’n maw na paw ding uhi chi’n Sangma in gen hi.

Lamka khawpi sung a neh-le-dawn lam hi’n sepna nehzawnna tampi um theina ding ngai poimaw ahihmanin Delhi phualpi a Ministry tuom tuom zong Tribal Forum lamkai te va pha kuol ding chi’n CT Lian Guite Delhi ah taam nalai ding hi.

Tuni Sangma toh meeting ah Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi apat Romeo Hmar, Mavio,
Veilou, Timothy Chongthu leh Zogam Today joint editor Bruce K. Thangkhal te zong pang uhi.

Meeting ah Tribals Forum te’n zong Sangma toh tulel a  Lamka buaina thu zong hoitah in kikuppih uhi. Sangma in theitawp sua in Manipur tribals-te adding ana pang ding chi’n zong gen hi.

Tualeh Thursday ni’n CCpur MDC 5 – Langkhanpau Guite, chairman, ADCC, M Gouzamang, EM, Grace Zamnu, EM, Genneikhup Vaiphei, EM, Lalhrillien, MDC banah Habib Ali, Adivser, North Eastern Peoples’ Organistion (NEPO), Jiribam te’n tribal forum toh Manipur tribal te buoina thu JNU ah sawtkhuom tah kikupna nei uhi.

Tribal Forum toh MDC te hoihtah a pangtou sem a, Manipur singtang mite a di’a theitawp suo khawm ding chi uhi.

Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi in Manipur sung a um tribal organization koipou Delhi hing zin tribal problem toh kisai minister kimupi ding ahilouleh memorandum thelut ding te’n tribal forum theisah (consult) masa phawt a, pan lakhawm ding chi’n thupuon bawl uhi.

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL | ZOGAM TODAY 

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PA Sangma assures to give Rs 10 lacs for CCpur

NEW DELHI, SEPT 11, 2015: Ex Lok Shaba speaker PA Sangma on Friday assured to pay Rs 10 lakhs for the affected families of the recent floods and landslides in Churachandpur district of Manipur.

Sangma, who is also the chairman of North East MP’s Forum told the leaders of Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi, that he is willing to help the tribal people whatever possible he can.

The forum leaders comprised Romeo Hmar, Mavio, Timothy Chongthu, Vipui and Bruce K. Thangkhal, had accompanied a noted social worker from Churachandpur Mr C T Lian Guite, who is also a Member of Churachandpur Autonomous District Council, Manipur.

CT Lian, who brought this policy, said that till today many families who were living hand-to-mouth suffered for the past two months. They are mostly suffering now.

“I will send the cheque by Tuesday or Wednesday,” Sangma said. He added: “I was thinking where to send the money, I did not want to give it to the Manipur government, it might not reach to the people”.

The amount will be handed over to ADCC and which will be channelized by CT Lian in collaboration with the Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi.

 

The Forum also had a consultative meeting with Delegates of Churachandpur ADC in New Delhi on Friday. It was resolved that both will work together for the betterment of the tribals in Manipur.

In the meantime, the Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi expressed that any organization from Tribals of Manipur who came to Delhi for political or current issue must to consult them (MTFD) in order to have a consistent demand for the tribals.

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL

(The Mizoram Post | Manipur Chronicle | Zogam Today)

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Eimi Churches held Prayer & Condolence Meeting for Tribal Martyrs

DIMAPUR, SEPT 11, 2015: The prayer and condolences meeting jointly called by the Churches of Eimi Communities based in Dimapur namely: Kuki Baptist Church, Halfnagarjan and Burma Camp, Kuki Christian  Church, Golaghat Road, Evangilical Baptist Convention Church, Burma Camp, United Pentecostal Church ADC Court Junction, Hmar Christian Fellowship Burma Camp, Mizo Chistian Fellowship, Dimapur concludes successfully with the congregation predging to stand unitedly for the cause of a common secure and separate administration for the tribals in Manipur.

The prayer meet was hosted forcefully and efficiently by KBA Pastor Lamkholun Singson, who referred back to Quuen Esther in the bible in delivering her people's from the evil designs of her days.

Rev. Fimchonthang from Hmar Christian Church  does the opening prayer  followed by short speech by Pu Thangkai Gangte, Senior Lecturer,  SM College on the high handedness of the Manipur Government and it's Security Forces, on our Nine brave Martyred, whose sacrifices should not be allowed to just pass away without a fruit in the form of a separate administration for the tribals of Manipur.

Rev. Hemkhothang Singson, KCC Pastor lead the congregation in Condoling of the Nine brave Martyr and observance of 2 minutes silence in thier honour was followed by Prayer for the family and for thier supreme sacrifices to bring fruitful positive result and a lasting unity amongst our people.

Pu Hemkholal Lhungdim gave the vote of Thanks besides reading out of the press release copy drafted by Manipur Tribal Forum, Dimapur chapter constituted on the spur to highlight our support to our brethens back home. The meet concludes with prayer by Pu Ginjalal Simte, Chairman, EBC.

An amount of Rs. 14560/-collected along with a copy of the press release and a letter conveying our unstinted supports and continual prayers to the Joint Action Comminttee in thier tireless struggle for our peoples will be addressed to them.

Thanking each and everyone for making our meet a success. Let the flame of unity kindle by us keep on burning brightly and fervently for now and forever. Thanks once again.

Our special thanks  to Zomi Welfare Association, Dimapur who sponsored the expenses on Tea and Snacks.

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5 Mizo languishing in Malaysian Jail

NEW DELHI, SEPT 9, 2015: Human Rights and Empowerments of Indigent People of North East India (NEINEI) and The Zo People Human Rights is looking for the family members of seven (7) Indian nationals from the states of Mizoram and Manipur, who are now languishing in the various immigrant detention camps in Malaysia.

The Human Rights Commission was informed about the detainees, who could not be repatriated to India for want of proper identification by the families and concern from the district administration of their state.

“Five of the detainees belong to the state of Mizoram and two belong to the Chandel district of Manipur state. Concerned persons and families of the detainees are hereby inform to immediately report to the concerned district administration and if necessary, seek advice or guidance to from me,” said Mr. Khamchinpau Zou @ K Zou, advocate and convenor of Zo People Human Rights & HEINEI.

The names of the Indian nationals who were detained in Malaysia include Mr Lalrodinga S/o Lalngaih Thanga & Lalnunkimi of Kanan Veng Street, Champhai District Mizoram; Mr GT Sanga S/o Thangkhan Khupa & Mansuanningi of Selam village, Champhai District, Mizoram; Mr Vanlalruata S/o Vanrammania & Zoramliani of Vengthlang Street, Champhai District, Mizoram; Mr Lalremdika @ Hria Mah S/o M Beiha & K Sota of Khatla Street, Aizawl City (Near Directorate Industry), Mizoram; and  Mr Suanzamanga S/o Thawngzakhupa & Nianglam Chingi of Hrianghmun, Ngopa Block, Champhai District, Mizoram.  The organization can be contacted at ipehumanright@gmail.com or kzou@rediffmail.com, and can also contact at 0-9871205247.

~ BRUCE K THANGKHAL

Member, Zo People Human Rights & HEINEI

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Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi gave ultimatum to tribal MLAs

NEW DELHI, SEPT 7, 2015: The Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi (MTFD) condemned the passing of the three contentious bills in the Manipur Assembly on the August 31 terming it represents a direct attempt to undermine the rights of tribals and uproot them from their lands, and regard the brutality and atrocities of the Manipur state forces as a reflection of the continual cycle of systematic injustice and discrimination that the Manipur government perpetuates against the tribal population.

The press statement was issued by its convenors Mr Romeo Hmar and Mr Maivio J Woba on Monday. The brutal repression of the Manipur state forces by firing on the protestors with live bullets as an unpardonable human rights violation which caused the loss of innocent lives and serious injuries to many innocent persons, it stated.

 

While supporting the public disapproval and resentment of the silence of the tribal MLAs in Manipur Assembly, the Forum unanimously demand the immediate resignation of the 14 remaining tribal MLAs within the next 7 days. The MLAs include Mr D Korungthang (42-Tengnoupal), Mr Victor Keishing (43-Phungyar), Mr MK Preshow (45-Chingai), Mr Yamthong Haokip (46-Saikul), Mr Francis Ngajokpa (49-Tadubi), Mrs Nemcha Kipgen (50-Kangpokpi), Mr Ngamthang Haokip (51-Saitu), Mr Z Kikhonbou Newmai (52- Tamei), Mr Jamhemlung Panmei (53-Tamenglong), Mr Gaikhangam (54-Nungba), Dr Chaltonlien Amo (55-Tipaimukh), Mr Vungzagin Valte (56-Thanlon), Mr T Manga Vaiphei (57-Henglep), Mr Phungzathang Tonsing (58-Churachandpur), Mr T N Haokip (59-Saikot)  and Mr Ginsuanhau (60-Singhat).

 

The Forum demanded the Manipur Government to immediately revoke the ban on GPRS (internet) in Manipur.

 

It also demanded to bring visible justice of the police officers who are responsible for the death of the nine civilians namely, Mr Pausuanlian (19) S/o Haulianching of Vengnuam, New Lamka,  Mr Thangzalian (30) S/o Vungching of Hiangtam Lamka, Mr H Paulianmang (23) S/o H Thianlal of Dorcas Veng, New Lamka, Mr Robert V Jamminthang (30) S/o (L) Vungkhozam of College Veng, New Lamka, Mr Khamsianmuan (22) S/o Kamkhenthang of Vengkhang, Pearsonmun, Master Khaijamang Touthang (11) S/o (Late) Haokhothang Touthang of Bijang, Mr Henlalson (18) S/o M Khaikhothang of Headquarter Veng, Lamka, Mr K Lamkhenthang (45) S/o K Ginzalian of Vengnuam, New Lamka and Mr Enkhankhup (20) H/o Chingngaihniang of LV Lane, New Lamka. He died of injuries on Monday morning. Three died on September 1 while five died on September 2. During the police firing, as many as 35 persons injured.

 

“We reiterate our people’s longstanding demand for a separate administration for a permanent political solution,” the statement added.

 

“We are deeply concerned with the turn of events in the hill districts of Manipur. It is our appeal and desire that a lasting solution be amicably worked out by all stakeholders in order to avoid any such incidents in the future. The unity and solidarity expressed by all tribal groups is a reflection of the urgency to solve the recurring attempts to subvert tribal rights in Manipur,” it stated.

 

In the meanwhile Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi invites all the elders, scholars, students and the members of its constituent tribal student bodies to attend the Consultative Meeting on Tribal Rights in Manipur at JNU, New Delhi on September 8.

~ ~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL

(The Mizoram Post | Manipur Chronicle | Zogam Today)

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Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi: Consultative Meeting on Tribal Rights in Manipur

Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi (MTFD) invites all the elders, scholars, students and the members of it's constituent tribal student bodies to A CONSULTATIVE MEETING on Tribal Rights in Manipur.

Date: 8th September 2015

Venue : SSS I Auditorium, School of Social Sciences, JNU, Delhi 67.

Time : 2pm onwards.

Kindly request all your pastors, elders, activists, scholars, media team and student members to attend this important meeting.

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