Manipur students slam ‘controversial bills’

SHILLONG: The Manipur Tribal Students, Shillong (MTTS) has expressed its opposition to the passing of three “controversial bills” by the Manipur Government.
The MTTS in association with Joint Action Committee against Anti Tribal Bills (JACAATB) on Saturday organized a one day awareness programme here on the bills, which have been the bone of contention in Manipur leading to large scale violence.
It may  be mentioned that  the Manipur government, bowing to pressure from agitators from the state’s valley, convened a special session of the Assembly on August 31 last year and passed three bills — the Protection of Manipur People Bill, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Bill (Seventh Amendment) and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill.
JACAATB convener H Mangchinkhup accused the Manipur Government of grabbing tribal lands by passing the three bills even as he added that the movement would now be spread to other North Eastern states.