ATSUM launches blockade, condemns office lockup
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, August 05 2022: As the economic blockade imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur began at 6 am of Friday, many trucks ferrying essential commodities were stranded along the National Highway 2 .

The ATSUM had announced an economic blockade right after its extended total shutdown ended at 6 am on Friday.

The economic blockade, which according to the students' body will continue till their demand is met, has been endorsed and supported by various tribal bodies in the hill districts.

In Kangpokpi district, several tribal bodies spearheaded by AT SUM's federating unit KSO Sadar Hills enforced the economic blockade along the NH-2 .

As many as 80/90 trucks ferrying essential commodities were seen stranded along the NH-2 at T Khullen village in Kangpokpi district while another 20/30 trucks are stuck near the old taxation check post at Hengbung village.

However, schools, markets and offices are seen coming back to normal since Friday morning after the extended total shutdown culminated while normal traffic resumed except for loaded trucks.

Empty trucks were seen moving along the highway without any disruption.

Despite the report of the ATSUM decision to picket the government's offices, no incident of office picketing has yet been witnessed in the Kangpokpi district.

Meanwhile, ATSUM, KSO-GHQ, and ANSAM strongly condemned the locking of the ATSUM office at Imphal near Adimjati by Meitei Leepun and terming the act as a "reflection of the true colour of the present government, repressing and suppressing the tribal populace under the guise of chingmee, tammee amatani" .

ANSAM general secretary AC Thotso said that the unwarranted locking of the ATSUM office by Meitei Leepun is very unfortunate and it is considered a direct challenge to the tribal people of Manipur.

He continued that the demand of the ATSUM is not against any community in the state but the constitutional rights of the tribals enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

"We are shocked by the Meitei Leepun's communal act and it is perceived that it must have been the handiwork of the state government as such is the true colour of the present state government", he added.

Comment