ATSUM invokes ROTO Phase-2 stir in hill districts by locking govt offices
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray
Ukhrul, November 19 2013:
All Tribal Student's Union (ATSUM) has invoked the second phase of Reckoning Of The Other (ROTO) in Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong by locking government offices in the district since Tuesday morning.
In the presence of mediapersons this morning in Ukhrul, the ATSUM and TKS activists put up a ROTO poster and a lock on the Ukhrul Mini-Secretariat and Zonal Education offices.
Simultaneously, the ROTO has been invoked in Chandel and Tamenglong by its affiliated units.
ATSUM general secretary Ayo Shatsang said "...that unless the state government fufills the various charter of demands as assured to us, we will continue with this form of agitation.
This is a symbolic protest to show our displeasure" .
He iterated that the state government has been dilly-dallying with their demands and has never put their words into action, and added that justice to the tribals is delayed and their rights deprived.
In Churachandpur town, the ATSUM's ROTO was enforced by Churachandpur District Student's Union in full swing since yesterday.
However, police led by officer in-charge Longpinao broke the locks at both the Ukhrul mini scretarait and ZEO office at around 9.45 am.
Shatsang stated that even after many rounds of talks with state government including the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs, nothing has been forthcoming despite assurances from the latter.
ATSUM had surveyed, compiled and furnished a comprehensive data on health and education concerning the tribals in the state, but the government is sleeping over it.
On the recent police recruitment, the tribal body has alleged that there are various anomalies in the recruitment process as some with fake certificates and absentee candidates being selected.
In this regard, it said ATSUM has petitioned Union Home ministry.
Meanwhile, it rubbishes the statements and claims made by its Senapati based ATSUM splinter group as carried in local media.
"The government of Manipur has never fulfilled any demands of ATSUM.
We will never call off our agitation unless our charter of demands is met," asserted the student leader.
Further, the tribal body lambasted the splinter group for working at the behest of the state government and being its mouthpiece.