ATSUM mobilizes for agitation
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati/Kpi,, August 19 2014:
All Tribal Students' Union Manipur has mobilized for its proposal of the 24 hour total bandh in all hill districts of the state from the midnight of Aug 20.Speaking to local media persons at Kangpokpi, President of the student body, Emboi Serto said, "We have come for mobilizing at Sadar Hills and Senapati for the proposed 24 hour total bandh starting from Aug 20 midnight as well as for further course of agitation if the total bandh has no positive and fitting outcome.
"We will imposed indefinite economic blockade in all national highway from midnight of August 22 if the 24 hour total bandh bears no satisfactory result on the part of the state Government as well as the Manipur University", asserted Emboi while adding that the demand of the ATSUM is very much legitimate and realistic.
Emboi alleged that after much propelling over the issue of implementation of Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 in the state Manipur University authority claimed that the notification regarding the Act reached them only this year but the fact is that it was already in their hand and acknowledged one year and seven months ago.
"Has Speed Post become a Slow Post in Manipur? It took one year and seven months to reach Imphal from UGC office", thundered Emboi to the MU authority while arguing that the notification has already been sent to the MU authority by UGC more than a year ago.
For the past many years Meiteis have enjoyed most of the Scheduled Tribe facilities and in the meantime they have blatantly demanded for ST status which signifies that they have an intention from the very beginning to usurp tribal people rights in the State, Emboi lamented and asserted that tribal people will opt for another alternative if their rights and reservation is disregarded in this way.
The tribal student apex body chief further pointed out Chief Minister O Ibobi, in official his letter to the Prime Minister of India regarding New Land Uses Policy, wrote that the tribal population in the state has already exceeded more than 40 per cent.
Therefore, there are no excuses and grounds for postponing the implementation of the Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 even when one significant academic session had already been ignored due to lackadaisical attitude of the MU authority, averred Emboi.
While alerting the general public Emboi stated that from midnight of Aug.20 till midnight of Aug 21 all vehicular movement, educational institutions, Government administrations, business establishments will be totally clogged.
Only media and Medical will be relaxed from the purview of the bandh, added the ATSUM president.