Manipuri students to boycott LS elections

Imphal, July 12: The North-East Students Coordinating Committee on the Manipuri identity has decided to boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in protest against the decision taken by the Assam and Tripura governments to recognise the Bishnupriya language as 'Bishnupriya Manipuri'. Talking to The Assam Tribune, here the convenor of the co-ordinating committee, Chidananda said that the final decision on the poll boycott will be taken after a joint meeting of the constituents of the committee, All Assam Manipuri Students' Union (AAMSU), All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) and All Tripura Manipuri Students' Association (ATMSA). A meeting is likely to be convened here at Imphal mid-July, the convenor added. He also said that the recognition of Bishnupriya as 'Bishnupriya Manipuri' is an attack on the fundamental rights envisaged by the Constitution of India to the people of the State, adding that the committee will not remain a silent spectator when our fundamental rights is being violated by the neighbouring States.