ATSUM's 24 hrs shutdown paralyses hill dists
Source: The Sangai Express

SH/CCpur/Cdl, October 20 2016: With announcement of its support and endorsement of ATSUM's 24 hrs total shutdown in all hill districts of the state by KSO-GHQs and ANSAM yesterday, various civil society organizations of Sadar Hills implemented the total shutdown in Sadar Hills today.

Volunteers of CSOs Sadar Hills including KSO, TSA, KYU, KYA and student communities were seen blocking the highway at different location along National Highway 2 and on Saikul � Imphal road including Sapormeina- Saikul road.

No State and inter-State passenger buses were seen plying along the highway while goods carriers like trucks, escorted tankers, wingers, etc were completely off the road.

ATSUM's 24 hrs shutdown paralyses hill dists

Business establishments from Kangpokpi to Gamgiphai and in Saikul Hill Town in Sadar Hills remained closed for the day while Government institutions were also closed during the total shutdown.

However, educational institutions in some area within Sadar Hills were exempted from the purview of the total shutdown.

Volunteers were seen blocking the highway at Kangpokpi, Keithelmanbi, Sapormeina, Gamgiphai in Gunhom area and Gangpijang in Saikul area in Sadar Hills.

Medical, electricity, water supply, media were exempted from the purview of the total shutdown in Sadar Hills and candidates of army recruitment rally at Senapati DHQs were exceptionally exempted.

However, many candidates faced problems due to shortage of vehicles on the road.

MUTSU leaders also visited Sadar Hills and Senapati during the total shutdown and discussed with various civil bodies on further course of action in support of the ATSUM movement over the MU issue.

No untoward incident has been reported till the time of filing this report.

The 24 hours total shutdown was also total in Churachandpur despite the absence of any sizeable volunteers.

The Hmar Students' Assocation, Kuki Students' Organisation and Zomi Students' Federation had jointly announced their support to the bandh call and the announcement is believed to have kept the increasingly and politically aware public indoors.

Major roads and even the streets were deserted with very little movement in sight.

The shutdown was also total in Chandel district with all vehicles staying off the road, reports our correspondent.

Shops and business establishments remained shut during the shutdown and volunteers of KSO and Naga Students' Union, Chandel enforced the bandh effectively.