ANSAM to continue office picketing agitation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, October 25 2023: All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) on Wednesday said that it would continue picketing of all government offices in the hill districts in protest against the state government's inaction on its demands.

In a press communique, ANSAM thanked its sub-ordinate units, constituent units and general populace of the state for their unflinching support and cooperation to the agitation by picketing government offices in hill districts on October 24 and 25, 2023 against the government that has been depriving the rights of the people and ignoring voice of the people demanding immediately restoration internet connectivity in the state and declaration of the results of the interview held in September, 2021 for the appointment of 190 posts of assistant professors (145 + 45 ST special drive) for government colleges of Manipur at the earliest.

While expressing strong resentment against the government for failing to respond positively to the demand and acknowledging the unwavering contributions of the units, ANSAM informed all concerned and general populace that picketing of government offices will continue in Manipur's hill districts, and the mode of agitation will be intensified if the government continues to undermine the legitimate demands.

Dissatisfied with the government's administrative system for denying people's rights, the students' body said that they were forced to launch the agitation to make their demands heard.

The association further said that they raised the demands because they were deeply worried about problems faced by democratic citizens as a result of the state's blanket ban on internet use and a lack of teaching faculty in government colleges in Manipur, particularly in hill districts.

The 'School Fagathansi Mission' had resulted in the recruitment of 923 graduate teachers, and it is high time the problem of shortage of teaching faculty in government colleges is addressed through the announcement of recruitment results of 190 assistant professor posts as part of the "College Fagathansi Mission" as promised by the chief minister.

It then recalled a press release dated June 23, 2022 issued by the secretariat of higher and technical education department had confirmed that the interview process for the 190 assistant professor posts was completed and had been referred to the department of personal (DP) for the declaration of results.

As such, prolonged delay by the DP in declaring the said results is highly questionable, ANSAM said.

The students' body maintained that the internet is more than just a communication medium; it is also a preferred platform for research and knowledge, among other things.

Lifting the internet ban just for a few broadband customers and government offices for administrative purposes at exorbitant rates does not provide a solution to urgent heeds and cannot be justified in light of the ongoing violence and prevailing situation.

In the meantime, ANSAM asked all its constituent units and sub ordinate bodies to strictly enforce the picketing of government offices in their respective jurisdictions and fight for the rights and for implementation of their demands.

ANSAM then urged the government officials and public for utmost co-operation and understanding during the course of the agitation.

UKHRUL: The ongoing ANSAM agitation being enforced by TKS continued for the second day on Wednesday, with the mini-secretariat office remaining deserted and all government offices on lockdown.

According to TKS, the agitation of office picketing will continue until the government takes steps to fulfil the demands raised by ANSAM.

"We have taken up necessary measures to continue the agitation for an indefinite period and will intensify the agitation in the event of the government failing to address the issues," said a source in TKS on Wednesday.

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