Boycott Sangai festival call rung out : ATSUM to cut off highways from Oct 21
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 14 2014: Coming out strongly against the utter indifference of the State Government, the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur has decided to impose a blockade on all State and National Highways from October 21 under Reckoning of Others (ROTO).

The student body has also asked all tribal communities to boycott the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival.

Speaking to newsmen at ATSUM's office, president of the student body, Muan Tombing said that the decision to go ahead with the agitation was taken as the Government has failed to take up any steps to address the issues it had promised during a meeting held on November 25 last year.

If the issues put up by the student body are not addressed to by October 20 then the agitation will take off as decided.

In the November 25 meeting held last year, the State Government had given the undertaking that the issues put up by ATSUM will be addressed to within six months but till date nothing has been done, said Tombing.

Recalling the meeting, Tombing said, 'Back then the Chief Minister himself had said that if the agreement is not implemented then we would be free to take up any course of agitation' .

Before the talk with the Government, ATSUM under the code name ROTO first launched an agitation highlighting a number of issues.

The second phase of the agitation was taken up as the Government had failed to take up any work even after a lapse of six months, he said and added that the third agitation is set to be launched from October 21 as the Government has so far not done anything though an assurance was given on November 25 last year.

This will be the third time that ATSUM is set to launch an agitation under ROTO.

The charter of demands put up by ATSUM include improving the infrastructure in health and education, deployment of adequate man power, good and effective governance, judiciously follow the reservation policy, oppose the new land use policy in the hill districts of Manipur and to protect the land and natural resources of the State.

Tombing further said that ATSUM now has nothing to do with Majabung Gangmei, speaker of the student body, who was deputed by the Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur.

A decision has also been taken not to let him use the letter head of the student body.

Elaborating Tombing said that on June 13 this year, ATSUM had asked the Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur to take him back.

Deputy Speaker Helien Kipgen will carry on the work of the speaker till ZSUM deputes another student leader to take on the post of speaker of ATSUM.

President of ZSUM, Kadi-janbou Pamei who was also present said that Majabung Gangmei has been recalled.

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