Blockade called off
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 17 2014:
Emboi Serto-led All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has decided to call off the economic blockade, which began yesterday along the two national highways of the State, from 8 am tomorrow following an agreement with the State Government today.
Talking to media persons at Babupara SSA Office here this evening after the meeting, Spokesperson of State Government CAF&PD and Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro said that a meeting between the State Government and representatives of ATSUM was held at Chief Minister's Secretariat today.
He along with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, RD&PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa and Revenue Minister Th Devendra attended the meeting from the Government side while 23 representatives of ATSUM were present during the meeting.
The demands of ATSUM were discussed thoroughly during the meeting and an agreement was reached between the Government and ATSUM following which the economic blockade was called off.
The points of agreement are framing of rules for Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Post & Services (for SC & ST) Amendment Act, 2007; establishment of a separate Directorate to look after the affairs of hills in Education Department; following reservation rules for ST in regularization of contract and ad-hoc lecturers; devolution of powers to Autonomous District Councils; setting up of a Committee by Government to look into various problems of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Manipur Campus; strict action against Government teachers who have refused postings to hills; settlement of police boundaries of hill areas; and decentralization of power within Department of Tribal Affairs & Hills and upgradation the Deputy Director of the Department to the level of Additional Director, Okendro noted.
He further stated that all points of agreement would be put into effect by the State Government tomorrow.
The Government also appealed to the representative of ATSUM to lift the blockade in view of the ensuing HSLC and HS Examinations.
As per the agreement, the blockade would be lifted from 8 am tomorrow in order to avoid any communication gap or misunderstanding, Okendro added.
The Minister also stated that there is sufficient stock of petroleum oil in the State, and appealed to the public to stop panic buying in anticipation of oil scarcity.