Suspend rail work : ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 06, 2013:
ATSUM has written to the North East Frontier Railway Deputy Chief Engineer to suspend the ongoing railway work between Jiribam and Tupul with effect from June 7 midnight.
ATSUM's letter written by its president Muan Tombing pointed that a 38 day sustained agitation was launched since 8 pm of June 4 under the code name ROTO.
To cease all national projects in tribal inhabited areas is one component of the agitation.
As such, NF Railway should direct all private companies working under it to suspend their work with effect from June 7 midnight.
It said that the ongoing agitation was launched as the Government failed to address many long standing demands despite repeated appeals and reminders.
The letter also said that the stir would be responded positively in the interest of tribal people.
Urging for a charter of demands concerning education and health sectors and reservation systems, ATSUM announced in advance their line of agitation which was 38 hours intense agitation from 5 am of June 3 followed by 38 days sustained agitation.
Meanwhile, members of All Tribal Disables' Union Manipur (ATDUM) today staged a sit-in-protest at Nagaram here against the reported assault on their president and some other members.
Yuimi Kanghar, chairman of the Association of Persons with Disability, Senapati which is a member organisation of ATDUM said that some members of ATDUM were apprehended by Sekmai police from Kanglatongbi on the charge of supporting ATSUM's intense agitation on June 3. To enquire about the arrest ATDUM president Momo accompanied by some members went to the spot but they too were taken into police custody.
To arrest the agitators is understandable but to assault physically and detain disabled persons is highly condemnable, Yuimi said.
Demanding that the indiscipline police personnel should be dismissed from service, Yuimi said that carry on with their agitation if the same demand is not translated into action at the earliest.
Already ATDUM submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Gaikhangam yesterday demanding befitting action against the police personnel involved in assaulting ATDUM president Momo and his driver.