Many trucks stranded as blockade continues
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, August 07 2022: Around 200 vehicles, mostly trucks ferrying various essential commodities and construction materials, are stranded along the National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) road till Sunday afternoon as All Tribal Students' Union Manipur continues its economic blockade which began on August 5 .

Earlier, security forces including Kangpokpi police safely escorted more than top stranded vehicles around midnight of August 5.However, many more vehicles, mostly trucks loaded with essential commodities and construction materials, were seen stranded again along the Imphal-Dimapur road from T Khullen village to Mayangkhang Ningthoupham in Kangpokpi district on Sunday.

The driver of one of the stranded trucks told this correspondent that some of them have been stranded for two days and if they remained stranded they will face lots of difficulties.

Another stranded driver, who was with his fellow drivers cooking for the team at T Khullen village, said that they have no information from the government as and when they are going to be escorted to Imphal.

ATSUM began its economic blockade right after its extended total shutdown from 6 am on Au gust 5 with a firm statement that the economic blockade would continue till their demands were met.

The agitation of the apex tribal student body has been endorsed and supported by various tribal bodies in the hill districts.

Meanwhile, ATSUM has called an emergency consultative meet ing of all tribal civil society organisation leaders and concerned tribal men belonging to all walks of life in the state on August 8 at Senapati district headquarters.

According to the student body's circular, the meeting has been convened in consonance with the meeting of its executives and senior leaders, ANSAM and KSO-GHQ regarding the Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill imbroglio.

Ahead of the ATSUM's proposed emergency consultative meeting, Hill Areas Committee (HAC) chairman Dinganglung Gangmei invited ATSUM for discussion to resolve the current issue regarding the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Bills on Sunday at the residence of TA & Hills minister Letpao Haokip.

The meeting was underway till the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the branch in-charge of TSA Sadar Hills, in a viral message on social media, appealed to the valley people not to disturb/ block/attack any Thadou brethren passing through their area, more particularly along the Imphal-Dimapur road.

The viral appeal also clarified that Thadous are not a part of ATSUM's bandh and economic blockade.

It also ensured safe vehicle movement within Kangpokpi district and advised all to refrain from any types of unlawful activities along the National Highway-2.It also provided TSA helpline No 7005443525 in case of any emergency.

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