New Delhi: A group of tribal people from Manipur protested in New Delhi against three recent bills passed by the northeastern state’s legislative assembly.
The protesters, some 50 of them, chose Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam’s visit to the national capital to stage the protest outside the Manipur Bhavan. The minister came for a series of meeting with higher dignitaries of the federal government, reported thenortheasttoday.com.
The protesters gathered outside the Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi, but police took them immediately to Parliament Street police station.
“It was a small protest by a group of tribals from Manipur. Delhi Police reached on time and took them away,” said a senior official of the Manipur Bhawan.
Gaikhangam belongs the Zeliangrong community of the Naga.
The official also said that during the protest the Gaikhangam was not in the Bhawan and had gone to attend some meeting.
A senior tribal leader of the Manipur Tribal Forum, who was part of the protest, said they will continue to protest against Gaikhangam as he has not opposed three bills passed by Manipur government.
The government on Aug 30 passed the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Bill, 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishments Bill, 2015.
Certain tribal groups oppose the Manipur Land Reforms Bill which ostensibly brings all land under the Manipur government and makes sale to outsiders difficult.
The passing of the bills was followed by a violence and agitation leading to the death of nine tribal civilians.