ATSUM's total shutdown culminates peacefully
Source: The Sangai Express

Kpi/Tpl, November 20 2021: The 24 hours total shutdown impos-ed by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) in all hill districts of the State culminated peacefully in Kangpokpi district.

The total shutdown was imposed by the tribal student's apex body in connec- tion with HAC recommended Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2011 .

As the Kuki Students' Organization, Sadar Hills declared endorsement of ATSUM's total shutdown, all business establishments in the district were reportedly closed for the day while no movement of vehicles except those exempted from the purview of the shutdown were seen along the highways.

In Kangpokpi district headquarters as well not a single shop was seen opened while Government institutions were seen partially attended owing to the shutdown as no vehicles were allowed to pass on the highways by volunteers of KSO Sadar Hills at Gamgiphai.

However, no untoward incident has been reported till the filing of this report.

ATSUM's total shutdown culminates peacefully

ATSUM and KSO Sadar leaders were also seen monitoring the enforcement of the total shutdown while taking stock of the situation along the National highway in Kangpokpi district.

The KSO-SH fully endorse the proposed 24-hour shutdown called by ATSUM in all the hill districts of Manipur against the State Government for not convening a special Assembly Session on "The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021", recommended by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) .

The HAC recommended Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021 was drafted in the interest of not only the tribals but also the whole State since it is meant to develop the hill areas under the provisions of Article 371C of the Indian Constitution, said Thangtinlen Haokip, General Secretary KSO Sadar Hills while wondering on the Government's attitude and added that they felt betrayed because of the Government's unwillingness to convene a special Assembly Session to table the said Bill in the interest of the hill populace.

He continued that KSO Sadar Hills will continue to support and endorse ATSUM's movement over the HAC recommended Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill, 2021 while conveying gratitude to the people of Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi for their support and cooperation during the total shutdown and also appealed to continue their support in the future course of agitation.

Normal vehicular movement along the Imphal-Moreh road was also disrupted on Saturday owing to the 24-hour total shutdown imposed by All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) .

Volunteers of Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) Moreh Block came out in support of the shutdown and blocked Imphal-Moreh road at Chikim village.

Movement of all kinds of vehicles was suspended except for emergency cases.

It may be mentioned that the 24-hour total shutdown was imposed in all hill districts of Manipur by ATSUM after a meeting between Chief Minister N Biren and hill student leaders on Friday failed to bring any concrete solution regarding the demand for a special Assembly Session on "The Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill, 2021" .