Arunachal Indigenous Peoples Forum (AIPF) lays stress on rights of indigenous people

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Indigenous Peoples Forum (AIPF) president Nyader Loya said on Monday that the North East Indigenous Peoples Forum's (NEIPF) primary focus is to draw the attention of the respective State Governments to address inter-state boundary disputes with utmost care and without disturbing the sentiments of the local people.

Addressing mediapersons at the press club here, Loya said that during the second NEIPF conference, it was decided that the forum will thrive to create a conducive atmosphere for the indigenous people of the Northeastern State for sharing common interest and issues.

The forum will also make efforts in pursuit of preserving traditional values and cultural practice of the indigenous. Likewise, the respective State Governments of the North-East should ensure that indigenous people are involved in every decision concerning the people and land.

Loya said that two days of the second annual conference of NEIPF was held from April 30 at Dimapur and was hosted by the Nagaland Indigenous Peoples Forum (NIPF) at Northeast Zone Cultural Centre, Diphupar.

"Delegates from all the seven States of the North-East participated in the conference. Where various issues pertaining to the indigenous and inter-State boundary disputes were discussed," he said, adding that a new executive body was elected with a resolution entitled 'Diphupar Declaration'.

Loya also appreciated the move of the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Governments headed by the respective Chief Ministers in resolving the long-pending inter-State boundary dispute between the States permanently.

Among others, NEIPF co-convener Kipa Kanam and AIPF general secretary Tarh Atung also addressed the media on the conference and their respective roles in the forum.

Also Read: Indigenous Muslims

Also Watch: Guwahati: Man Carrying Yellow Metallic Paste Inside His Body Nabbed At LGBI Airport