ATSUM cautions transporters
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 15, 2013:
Emboi Serto led ATSUM, which is all set to launch its proposed Indefinite Economic blockade along all the National Highways from midnight of February 16 today cautioned transporters not to take any "risk" during the agitation.
ATSUM Finance Secretary, Hemang Haokip said that all preparations for the agitation has been completed and appealed to the transporters to honour and respect the blockade call not because of the student body but for the cause of the tribal people.
Transporters should not take the "Risk" of defying the blockade call since anything can happen anytime anywhere, Hemang Haokip cautioned.
Hemang Haokip, however, informed that press/media and its related materials as well as medicines will be exempted from the purview of the blockade.
But transporters of other commodities will be strictly prohibited and suitable penalty will awarded to any one violating the blockade.
He reiterated ATSUM's proposed agitation is purely in the interest of the tribal people whose rights and privileges have been denied for too long.
The ATSUM Fin.Secy also asserted that pseudo ATSUM along with its constituent units have strongly opposed to agitation merely because of their vested interest on tribal issues and said that opposition of pseudo ATSUM and its constituent units has nothing to do with the ATSUM's proposed agitation since the agitation is purely for the cause of the tribal people.
While it making that ATSUM would not accept the invitation of the State Govt for talk,, Hemang Haokip asserted that the invitation has come late and ATSUM has already given sufficient time for consideration of its demands to the Government.
ATSUM also warned the state Govt against using its forces to derail the blockade call.