ATSUM resumes economic blockade in Manipur

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL June 22: The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur has resumed its indefinite economic blockade in Manipur with effect from midnight on Monday.

Hundreds of trucks and mini trucks bringing victuals and other commercial items were seen hurrying towards Imphal before the beginning of the blockade. Many other drivers who could not make it were prepared to hang around Khatkati, Jakharaband and some other stations in Assam till the blockade is lifted.

Last year too the ATSUM had imposed a crippling blockade against the state. In view of the paralyzing impact the government had to sign an agreement assuring to fulfill their demands. However the tribal students’ organization was not pleased with the delay and had set a deadline on June 14, which has failed. Meanwhile, government sources told The Sentinel that it is next to impossible to fulfill the demands since most of them are against rules and regulations and will have far reaching consequences.

The tribal students are demanding, inter alia, regularization of the contractual and adhoc teachers in the five hill districts, increase in the reservation in Manipur university, clearance of heavy backlog of posts reserved for the tribals, setting up of a tribal commission.

Though the blockade came into effect from Monday midnight all oil pumps were closed since morning, amidst governments claim that the State has got fuel reserve for next one month.  It has been alleged that the government have never tried to escort the trucks and vehicles which remain stranded due to the bandh, neither have they ever tried to disperse the blockade supporters.