Tribal students roll back blockade threat
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, October 08 2018: Tribal student bodies have withdrawn their plan to impose an economic blockade along the National highways following an understanding with the State Government this afternoon.

In another development, a committee has been formed by the State Government to "look into all pending demands" of the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM), the Kuki Students Organisation-General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM).

It can be mentioned here that "charter of demands" on various issues was submitted to the State Government by ATSUM, KSO-GHQ and ANSAM last year.

According to the order of the State Government, MH Khan, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, will head the 5-member committee and will look into the demands of the hill based student bodies.

The other four members of the committee are Rakesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Vumlunmang Vualnam, Principal Secretary, H Deleep Singh, Commissioner and Athem Muivah, Secretary.

According to the order, the committee "will examine the feasibility of implementation of charter of demands raised by the student organisations and submit a report within one month's time after due consultation with departments concerned".

Meanwhile, the 5-day economic blockade which was supposed to begin from 5 am of October 9 as announced earlier by the three hill based student bodies has been called off.

ATSUM, the KSO-GHQ and the ANSAM had served a 7-day ultimatum on October 2 to the "authorities concerned" for resumption of normal classes and other activities in Manipur University.

While expressing their "anguish with premeditated holding of thousands of students' career to ransom for imposition of few vested interest individuals' agenda in Manipur University", the hill based student bodies demanded the establishment of a 'Hill Central University' .

According to the leaders of the hill based student bodies, during the dialogue this afternoon, the State Government had requested them not to go ahead with the proposed economic blockade saying the "Government is trying its best to resolve the Manipur University impasse" .

The tribal student leaders said the State Government requested them to give another "small time period" more to address the issue.

The hill based student leaders further said that the State Government told them that the State Government is seriously noting the issues raised by them.

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