Trucks stranded as ATSUM's blockade begins
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, August 05 2022:
As the economic blockade imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur began this morning at 6, many trucks ferrying essential commodities were stranded along National Highway 2 .
ATSUM had announced an economic blockade right after its extended total shutdown ended at 6 this morning.
The economic blockade which according to the student body will continue till their demand is met has been endorsed and supported by various tribal bodies in the hill districts.
In Kangpokpi.
district, several tribal bodies spearheaded by ATSUM's federating unit, KSO Sadar Hills enforced the blockade along the NH-2.As many as 80/90 trucks ferrying essential commodities were seen stranded along the NH-2 at T Khullen village in Kangpokpi district while another 20/30 trucks were seen stranded at the old taxation check post at Hengbung village.
Some trucks were already stranded for three days when the emergency shutdown, owing to the arrest of ATSUM leaders, was imposed along the highway from August 2 and the total shutdown of ATSUM from August 3 till this morning.
However, schools, markets, and offices are seen coming back to normal since this morning after the extended total shutdown culminated at 6 in the morning while normal traffic has resumed except for loaded trucks.
Empty trucks were seen moving along the highway without any disruption.
Despite ATSUM's decision to picket Government's offices, no incident of office picketing has been witnessed in Kangpokpi district.
Meanwhile, ATSUM, KSO-GHQ, and ANSAM strongly condemned the locking of the ATSUM office at Imphal near Adimjati by Meitei Leepun while terming the act of Meitei Leepun as a "reflection of the true colour of the present Government, repressing and suppressing the tribal populace in the guise of chingmee, tammee amatani" .
All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM)'s general secretary, AC Thotso, said that the unwarranted locking of the ATSUM office by Meitei Leepun is very unfortunate and it is considered as a direct challenge to the tribal people of Manipur.
He continued that the demand of the ATSUM is not against any community in the State but the Constitutional rights of the tribals as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.