TKS, SDSA picket Govt offices to protest internet ban
Source: Chronicle News Service

Ukl/Spt, October 24 2023: The district Mini-secretariat complex in Ukhrul town wore a deserted look on Tuesday, as Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) enforced All Naga Students' Association Manipur's (ANSAM) agitation against the protracted internet shutdown across the state.

Demanding immediate lifting of the internet ban imposed in the peaceful areas of the state, volunteers of TKS picketed all government offices in Ukhrul district headquarters, except those providing essential services like education, fire brigade, electricity, medical and water supply.

The internet ban was imposed by the government on May 3 with the intention of controlling the flow of disinformation and maintaining peace in the state following the outbreak of communal violence on the same day.

However, it has been widely criticised by the general public and various organisations, as it has adversely affected access to information, and hindered daily activities of the people.

Interacting with The People's Chronicle in his office, TKS vice president Omry Ningshen said that they fully support the demands put forward by ANSAM, asking the government to immediately comply with the demands.

"We demand the state government to immediately restore mobile internet service which is a fundamental rights of the denizens and also declaration of the result of the interview held in the month of September, 2021 for the appointment of 190 posts of Assistant Professors (145 + 45 ST Special Drive) for government colleges of Manipur at the earliest," he said.

He enumerated a time table for the agitation, which would continue till October 25 with the locking down of government offices in the town.

"This is our first step and if the government failed to respond to our demands within the time frame, further course of action would be initiated under the aegis of ANSAM," Ningshen disclosed.

The agitation also covered the departments under Autonomous District Council (ADC) Ukhrul and other government departments located outside the mini-secretariat.

Stickers inscribed with "Office Closed by ANSAM," and "Office Locked by TKS" were seen pasted at the entrance gates of the mini-secretariat, ADC office and others.

Similarly, irked by the state government's refusal to lift the internet ban despite repeated request, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) began its first round of agitation on Tuesday by picketing government offices in Senapati district.

The association picketed all government offices in the district to put pressure on the state government to immediately restore internet connectivity in the peace area of the state and to declare 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.

The ANSAM also warned of intensifying the agitation if the legitimate demands were not met as soon as possible.

Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) president Yunuo Peter told the media that the office of SDSA will fully endorse the office picketing in Naga hill districts organised by the ANSAM, and that the SDSA and its constituent units picketed all government offices in Senapati.

In Chandel district, ANSAM general secretary Angteshang Mating led the protestors comprising members of ANSAM and different Naga student bodies in locking down government offices including the DC office complex.

Angteshang told media persons that the association cannot accept blanket ban of mobile internet service and non-declaration of recruitment of assistant professors.

ANSAM will launch different forms of protest until their demands are honoured, he declared.

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