Govt inks MoU with ATSUM, uncertainty grips blockade status
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2022: In connection with the economic blockade called by ATSUM and arrest of five of its leaders, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed among the State Government, the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), ATSUM, KSO Ghqs and ANSAM.

Even as the MoU was signed uncertainty over the status of the blockade continued late into the evening today.

Our Senapati correspondent reported that the blockade has been lifted and loaded and stranded trucks had started moving towards their respective destinations in the evening.

Kangpokpi correspondent of The Sangai Express however affirmed late in the evening that no formal report of the blockade being lifted was received at the time of filing this report late in the evening today.

Trucks which were stranded at Kangpokpi were escorted under heavy security to their destination last evening itself, reported the correspondent.

A senior student leader on being inquired informed The Sangai Express that there is no question of the blockade being lifted at the moment.

On the other hand an office bearer of ATSUM informed The Sangai Express that the blockade has been lifted.

The MoU was inked after a marathon meeting held last night and it was signed by ATSUM vice-president Vanlallien Khaute, KSO Ghqs president Sasang Vaiphei, ANSAM president Peter Thirtung Wanglar, TA and Hills Minister Letpao Haokip and HAC Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei.

The MoU said that the five arrested ATSUM leaders would be released without any charges after the economic blockade is lifted.

Notably, the five ATSUM leaders were released today.

According to the MoU, the arrest warrant and the FIR registered against the ATSUM leaders would be nullified.

The MoU also says, "As the seventh amendment Bill of Manipur Hill Areas District Councils for devolution of power to ADCs has been referred to the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), the HAC will have consultation with stakeholders before recommending it to the Manipur Legislative Assembly" .

On the other hand, as announced earlier, ATSUM organised an emergency consultative meeting at Senapati district headquarters today regarding the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council imbroglio.

The meeting was organised in consonance with the decision adopted at a meeting of tribal student bodies and senior leaders held earlier.

Many speakers from different communities shared their opinions and proposals regarding the deadlock and way forward.

However, no resolution was adopted till the filing of this report as ATSUM and its federating units were holding another round of talks at the same venue.

Participants of the consultative meeting included leaders from ATSUM, ANSAM, KSO-Ghqs and federating units, apex tribal bodies, tribe unions/Hohos, Kuki/Naga women's unions, tribal chiefs' association, tribal Church leaders, human rights organizations, Kuki/Naga lawyers associations, leaders of political parties, tribal ex-Parliamentarians, ex-ADC Chairmen and Members, tribal scholars, social activists/workers and well wishers.

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