Kangpokpi shutdown protests arrest of ATSUM leaders
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, August 02 2022: An emergency shutdown began at Kangpokpi town over the arrest of ATSUM leaders on Tuesday even as its federating units including KSO and ANSAM demanded release of the arrestees within 6 pm Tuesday and warned of an emergency shutdown if not freed within the stipulated time.

Volunteers of KSO Sadar Hills, TSA Sadar Hills, Zillai and others were seen blocking the highway from 7 pm at Kangpokpi town consequently resulting in several vehicles including trucks stranded along the highway.

It may be recalled that ATSUM had announced a series of agitation including a 24-hour total shutdown from 6 pm on August 3 in the hill districts, to be followed by other intense agitation from August 5 to denounce alleged lackadaisical attitude of the state government towards the wish and desire of the tribal people for tabling of the HAC-recommended Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill 2021 in the ongoing Assembly session and the deceitful act of the incumbent HAC members who are deviating from promises.

Ahead of its proposed shutdown, some of the ATSUM leaders were reportedly summoned by Imphal West SP and detained.

The ATSUM federating units had immediately issued a statement demanding release of the detained leaders and warning of an emergency shutdown if their demand was not met by Tuesday afternoon.

ATSUM stated that in its continued selfless and relentless effort for strengthening the Autonomous District Councils as mandated by the Article 371C of the Constitution of India read with the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Orders 1972, the union was compelled to resort to agitation demanding the tabling of ADC Bill 2021 in the Assembly.

It continued that the decision to call the bandh is in pursuance of the resolutions adopted in the 2nd ATSUM General Assembly, 2022 at Haipi Village, Sadar Hills, and resolutions adopted at the subsequent meeting of ATSUM, ANSAM, KSO GHQ and Federating Units of ATSUM dated 28th July 2022, virtual meeting with Federating Units of ATSUM dated 31st July 2022 to demand for tabling of the Bill.

Speaking to the media, KSO Sadar Hills general secretary Thangtinlen Haokip reasoned that the emergency shutdown has been imposed owing to the state government's failure to release the arrested ATSUM leaders.

He continued that the agitation will be intensified if the ATSUM leaders are not released without any condition at the earliest possible.

A similar emergency shutdown has also been reported from Churachandpur and Moreh by respective district KSOs.

No untoward incidents were reported till the time of filing of this report.

Meanwhile, Sadar Hills Chiefs Association (SAHILCA) announced its support to the ATSUM agitation demanding and stated that the cause of the present agitation is due to non-fulfilment of the memorandum of agreement signed between ATSUM and Manipur government in November, 2021 with regard to tabling of the Bill, 2021.The outright denial by the state government to table the said Bill is in contravention of the constitutional and other related rights of the tribal people and it manifests the anti-tribal mentality of the state government, it added.

SAHILCA also'urged the state government to consider the rightful demands of ATSUM for equitable development of hills and valley.

Various organisations have also endorsed the 24-hour total shutdown called by ATSUM.

In a release, KSO GHQ denounced the undemocratic act of the government in arresting executive members of ATSUM along with its president and general secretary on Tuesday, following the announcement of the 24-hour bandh by ATSUM over the demand for tabling of the ADC Bill, 2021 in the state assembly.

KSO warned that if the ATSUM leaders are not released unconditionally, emergency shutdown will be imposed in all Kuki dominated areas.

Naga Students' Union Chandel (NSUC) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), Lamka also endorsed the 24-hour total shutdown called by ATSUM and appealed to denizens in their respective jurisdiction to support and cooperate with the organisations for greater benefit of the tribal community at large.

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