ATSUM continues blockade, border trade hit
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, June 28 2015 : The indefinite highway blockade being clamped by All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has paralysed border trade with Myanmar since the past six days.

Ever since the blockade came into effect from midnight of June 22, trade activities have also come to a grinding halt.

The blockade supporters continued pulling down goods after checking all the vehicles plying along the Imphal- Moreh road in between Thamnapokpi and Bongjang villages today.

A generator set belonging to Moreh Government Higher Secondary School was set on fire by ATSUM volunteers.

Supporters enforcing the blockade along Imphal-Moreh route

Speaking to reporters, ATSUM social and culture secretary Valan Aimol said that they understand the hardships faced by the people due to the blockade.

However, ATSUM is compelled to carry on the stir as the State Government has failed to address their grievances even though memoranda and ultimatum have been submitted on different occasions, he said.

He further said that the State Government has not responded positively although the blockade has completed six days.

He said that they would intensify their agitation if the Government keeps on maintaining silence.

Earlier on June 22, while announcing the plan to impose the blockade before media persons, president of ATSUM, Muan Tombing had stated that their main demands include, establishment of a Scheduled Tribe Commission, service regularization of the 268 contract lecturers and 333 ad-hoc teachers posted in hill districts, filling up of backlog posts under ST reservation norms in Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat, bifurcation of Additional Director (Hills) from Education (S) Director and transfer of land records of hill districts from valley districts.

The blockade covers Imphal-Moreh highway, Imphal-Mao highway and Imphal-Jiribam highway.

ATSUM has been already enforcing closure of all higher secondary schools located in the hill districts.

Apart from the blockade the student body has also imposed a ban on all National projects in the State.

This include Jiribam-Tupul railway project and projects funded by NEC.

Significantly, apart from the Thadou Students' Union which has backed the blockade call at Sadar Hills, the Naga People's Organisation, Senapati District Students' Association and Senapati District Women Association have not extended support to the blockade call practically leaving the Imphal-Dimapur line free.