Rock blocks mark ATSUM shutdown, ends peacefully
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 20 2021: The 24 hours total shutdown imposed by All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the hill areas of the state in connection with the demand for tabling the HAC recommended Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021 in the state assembly, ended peacefully.

As Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills declared endorsement of ATSUM's total shutdown, all business establishments in Kangpokpi district remained closed for the day while no movement of vehicles except those exempted from the purview of the shutdown were seen along the highways.

In Kangpokpi town, not a single shop opened while government institutions saw partial attendance owing to the shutdown as no vehicles were allowed to pass on the highways by volunteers of KSO Sadar Hills at Gamgiphai.

However, no untoward incident has been reported till the time of Ming this report.

ATSUM and KSO Sadar leaders were also seen monitoring the enforcement of the shutdown while taking stock of the situation along the National Highway in Kangpokpi district.

Speaking to media, KSO Sadar Hills general secretary Thangtinlen Haokip recounted that the HAC recommended Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill, 2021 has been formulated in the interest of not only the tribals but also the whole state since it is meant to develop the hill areas under the provisions of Article 371C of the Indian Constitution.

He also wondered at the state government's attitude and felt betrayed for neglecting to convene a special assembly session for tabling the said Bill for discussion in the interest of the hill areas populace.

Thangtinlen continued that KSO Sadar Hill will continue to support and endorse ATSUM's movement over the HAC recommended Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill, 2021.He further conveyed his gratitude to people of Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi for their support and cooperation during the total shut down and also appealed to the public to continue their support in the future course of agitations.

According to our correspondent, the bandh has no impact in Tamenglong and Noney districts as vehicles plied along the NH-37 (Imphal Jiribam Road) and the Tamenglong-Khongshang road as in normal days.

Shops and business establishments were opened as usual in both districts.

Mention may be made that the Joint Tribe Students' Association.

(JTSA) of Inpui, Liangmai, Rongrnei and Zeme had declared that it would no support ATSUM's 24-hour total shutdown and the planned economic blockade in areas under its jurisdiction.

However, in Churachandpur district, the total shut down called ATSUM demanding tabling of the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021 in the state assembly threw normal life out of gear.

The shutdown was enforced here by Kuki Students' Organisation, Churachandpur district.

Vehicular movement between Imphal and Churachandpur was greatly affected and most shops in the market areas of Tuibuong remained shut.

All government offices in the district also remained closed except for the DC office.

Till the time of filing this report, the bandh was peaceful with no untoward incidents reported from anywhere in the district.

CHANDEL: The 24-hour total shutdown called by ATSUM against the non-tabling of the ADC Bill from Friday midnight affected normal life in Ghandel district on Saturday with.

Naga Students' Union Charidel supporting and enforcing the shutdown strictly.

Shops and markets in Chandel district headquarters including Japhou Bazar remained closed.

Roads were blocked and only emergency vehicles were allowed to ply.

Volunteers of NSUC and its federating unit blocked the Liwa Changning, Chandel DC Lamkhai and Pallel Chandel road.

To prevent unwanted incidents during the shutdown, Chandel district police took up precautionary measures in various parts of the district including its headquarters.

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