Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04:
Even though over 50 goods laden trucks were escorted to the State capital last evening, similar number of vehicles are stuck on the Nagaland side of inter-State border at near Mao owing to the ongoing economic blockade enforced by All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) in pursuit of various demands.
The demands include admission and job reservations for tribal candidates in the Manipur University to the tune of 34.2 percent and fill-up vacant posts of teachers in educational institutions in the hill districts.
The economic blockade is being enforced on both the National Highways 39 and 53 since May 2 .
Prior to upgrading MU to a Central University the job quota for both teaching and non teaching categories was 10 percent which had been reduced to 7.5 percent after the status shift.
In connection with the same demand, Manipur University Tribal Students' Union had proclaimed general strike inside the varsity campus on April 28 .
MU authorities and the state government, had been insisting that since the varsity is under the purview of the Central Government, the centre's reservation policy as well as UGC guidelines need to be strictly followed.
In contrast, tribal student bodies had been pursuing that in case of technical infeasibility to the demands then a separate hill university should be established by the state so that tribal candidates have a share on the job quotas.
According to MUTSU spokesperson Helkhomang Touthang, Atsum and Mutsu representatives have already put this matter to chief minister O Ibobi Singh during a recent meeting.
In the meantime, a police officer of Mao police station said today, "So far over 40 Imphal bound goods trucks coming from Dimapur side have been stranded at Mao gate and the number might increase by this evening.