Indefinite economic blockade on all National Highways begins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 15, 2013:
Emboi Serto led ATSUM, whose indefinite economic blockade on all National Highways in the State begins from February 16 midnight, appealed to all transporters not to take any "risk" on their own during the agitation.
ATSUM finance secretary, Hemang Haokip said that decks have been cleared for the indefinite blockade.
The ATSUM appeals to all transporters of the State to honour and respect the blockade not because of the student body's pressure but for the cause of the tribal people and avoid taking any "risk" during the blockade since anything can happen anytime, anywhere, said Hemang Haokip.
He reiterated that the ATSUM agitation is purely in the interest of the tribal people whose rights and privileges have been denied for too long.
"It is therefore particularly vital for the tribal people and all right thinking denizens of the State in general to understand the initiatives of the students' body which has struggled hard to bring equal opportunity and equal treatment of all the communities settled together in the State".
The ATSUM leader further maintained that pseudo ATSUM along with its constituent units have strongly opposed the agitation merely because of their vested interest on tribal issues before adding that the opposition of pseudo ATSUM and its constituent units has nothing to do with the ATSUM agitation since the agitation is purely for the cause of the tribal people.
On ATSUM's reported failure to turn up for talks with the Govt yesterday, Hemang asserted that the invitation was too late even as enough time was given to the Govt. But if the Government is really serious on the issue and willing to talk, the student body will think and arrange a suitable step which will be based completely in the interest of the tribal people, he added.
In the meantime, Hemang said activities relating to press/media as well as medical service will be exempted from the purview of the blockade.
ATSUM also warned the State Govt not to utilise forces to suppress the blockade keeping in mind the "'legitimate demand' .
If any untoward incidents happen during the blockade the Govt will be held solely responsible for the same, he added.