ATSUM's economic blockade comes into force
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, November 22 2021: Hundreds of Imphal bound goods laden vehicles were forced to halt midway as an indefinite economic blockade along the national highways in Manipur commenced on Monday.

The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM), the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) and federating units of ATSUM imposed the economic blockade.

The students' bodies are pressing the State Government to convene a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to table and discuss the new Bill of Autonomous District Council (ADC) recommended by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Reports said that more than 100 Imphal-bound loaded trucks have been stranded along National Highway-2 at Mao Gate bordering the State of Nagaland with the commencement of the blockade.

The economic blockade also disrupted normal movement of commercial vehicles along Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102.Supporting the strike, members of the KSO (Moreh block) came out on the road along the highway at Chiki village and imposed the blockade, according to reports received.

The blockade supporters stopped vehicles of all kinds to check whether the vehicles carry goods violating the economic blockade, reports further said.

There were no untoward incidents related to the strike on its first day.

The tribal students' bodies imposed the indefinite blockade after their demand was not fulfilled by the State Government despite a 24-hour total shutdown-call given in the hill districts of the State on November 20.The students' bodies went ahead with the stir after a talk with the Government at the level of the Chief Minister on November 19 failed to break the deadlock.

On the other hand, various women's organisations (Meira Paibis) have threatened to impose counter economic blockade.

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