Govt brokers peace with ATSUM, stir lifted 8 am today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 17 2014: The indefinite economic blockade called by Emboi Serto led ATSUM would be suspended from 8 am tomorrow after the agitating students body and the Chief Minister came to an understanding at a meeting held today.

This was conveyed by Government spokesman and Education Minister M Okendro during a press meet at SSA office, Babupara this evening.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Revenue Minister Th Debendra, IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip, RD Minister Francis Ngajokpa, and Education Minister M Okendro.

ATSUM was represented by its president and 22 other delegates.

The meeting deliberated on eight particular demands raised by ATSUM and the two sides came to an agreement subsequent upon which ATSUM decided to suspend the economic blockade from 8 am tomorrow.

File pic of a petrol pump closed during the blockade period

The points of agreement were constitution of a committee headed by the Chief Secretary as Chairman which would examine the 200 Point Roster Reservation rules and take up necessary measures within March 15 and appointment of a competent tribal MCS officer to the post of the Additional Director (Hills), School Education Department.

Informing that the Chief Minister O Ibobi has already taken up the reservation issue in IGNTU Manipur Campus with the Prime Minister and the UPA Chairperson, Okendro conveyed that the two sides agreed on taking necessary steps on the issue at the earliest.

Post matric scholarship and medical assistance which were earlier totally monopolised by the Tribal Welfare Department would be disbursed to district Social Welfare offices as agreed at the meeting today.

Regarding the controversies about police jurisdiction boundaries, the two sides agreed to discuss the matter in another meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister, the DGPs, DCs and SPs on February 24 .

M Okendro hailed the decision of ATSUM to suspend the economic blockade in view of the Class X and XII exams, and in line with Government's appeal.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's allegation that Chief Minister O Ibobi was an enemy of the Nagas was something unexpected from a man like his stature and it was highly condemnable, said the Government spokesman.

"Such allegation was never expected from the honourable Chief Minister of the neighbouring State", he stated.

Neiphiu Rio was wittingly or unwittingly driving wedges among different communities of the State who have been otherwise living in harmony.

Okendro categorically stated that the Manipur Chief Minister is not an adversary of any community.

Commenting on the recent interview given by the Chief Minister to a news agency at Delhi recently and the subsequent reactions, Okendro stated that one can understand the Chief Minister's standpoints only after viewing/reading the full interview.

The truncated piece projected the Chief Minister in wrong light.

Even though no other Chief Ministers from the Northeastern region went to New Delhi on the issue of racial discrimination, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi took up the issue with the Union Minister and visited the victim of sexual assault at AIIMS.

It was surprising that BJP and MPP came with such hasty reactions, Okendro said.

On being enquired about the alleged instruction issued by Munirka Khap asking people from North East region to leave Delhi, the Government spokesman said that he has no such information.

If there is any such instruction, the State Government would face it in the most befitting manner.

The State Government is also considering to open a helpline and an office for Manipuris staying/living in Delhi, Okendro added.