Tribal MLAs under pressure to resign

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL, Sept 9: The 20 elected tribal representatives in the 60 member Manipur Assembly have been under heavy pressure from tribal groups to tender resigtion on the charge that they could not make their presence felt during the special session of the House to take up the Inner Line Permit system bills.

The government held a high level meeting on Tuesday to take stock of the situation. However no way out could be found out. Tribal organisations like Kuki Impi Manipur, Hmar Impui, United ga Council and Zomi Council say that since they could not do anything to protect the tribal interest during the special session the tribal Ministers and MLAs should tender resigtion.

A number of organizations of the Zeliangrong have asked the three representatives of the tribe in the Assembly including the deputy chief minister Gakhangam to tender resigtion. Gaikhangam who also holds Home is further charged with misleading the people that there is no clause in the three bills which will hurt the tribal interests.