ATSUM suspends proposed bandh
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04 2020:
The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has deferred its proposed 48 hours bandh after the Government agreed to discuss their demand for timely conduct of the ADC (Autonomous District Council) elections in the next Cabinet meeting.
The agreement was reached during a meeting today at the with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and other top officials at 11 am, said ATSUM in a statement.
It may be noted that ATSUM has been demanding the Government to hold elections to six ADCs in hill districts in November.
As the term of the ADCs' Members had already been extended for six months, ATSUM had demanded that the term of the Members should not be extended further.
During the meeting today, Chief Minister N Biren assured ATSUM that its demand for timely conduct of the ADC elections without further extension will be discussed in the next Cabinet meeting, which will be held after the ensuing by-elections of the State Legislative Assembly.
The by-elections to four Assembly Constituencies are scheduled to be held on November 7.The Chief Minister also expressed his sincere desire and intention for instituting effective grass root governance in the hill areas of Manipur.
To this effect, an agreement was signed between the State Government and ATSUM, it said.
Consequent upon the agreement reached, ATSUM is temporarily calling off its proposed 48 hours bandh and ban on construction works of all National projects in the State earlier scheduled to commence from November 5 .
The deferred stir will resume if the State Government fails to implement the agreed terms.
Future course of actions regarding the issue will be discussed in the joint meeting of ATSUM and its federating units to be held on November 12, said the student body.
TA & Hills Minister Vungzagin Valte, PHE Minister L Dikho, Forest Minister Awangbou Newmai, MLA GS Haopu and other officials represented the Government while ATSUM's representatives were led by its president Seiboi Haokip.