Wake-Up Call: Is North East Tribes Hearing?

Allen Brookes –

Imphal: In a lecture held at Imphal on Wednesday, on the topic ‘Delisting Tribal Christians from the ST List: It’s larger ramifications and consequences,’  Dr. Walter Fernandes, a leading Social Scientist of India and present Director of North East Research Center, Guwahati, said it’s time that the tribes put aside their differences and come together for common good.

Dr Fernandes stressed the fallout will be severe given the fact, that many groups and organisations are demanding the Delisting of Tribal Christians from the ST List in a bid to divide the Tribal Society and capture their land and rights once they loose their ST Status.

During the discussion important and pertinent issues were discussed and questions were raised on the subject. The seminar stressed the fact that if the tribes stood united together, irrespective of region, faith, ethnicity, denomination etc., they had a better chance to survive against this onslaught as they did for thousands of years.

The biggest threat to their tribal lands, he said was from the rich and the powerful and from those who have political backing. The director also cautioned that the tribals should not rely on Article 371C to safeguard their lands as the government can easily remove such articles and bring all tribal lands under its rule. He cited the example of the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

He also alleged that there are plans to divide Tribals and Christian and that they were being attacked for the same.

The event was organised by All Manipur Christian Organisations (AMCO), the lecture was moderated by Fr Albert Leivon, Secretary of AMCO and attended by priests, scholars, CSOs and representatives of ATSUM.