RIMS, bodies appeal; ATSUM sticks to stand
Source: Chronicle News Service / NNN

Imphal, April 23 2023: Stating that the agreement reached between Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal and All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) in connection with the reservation policy is under process at Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, RIMS director Prof Dr H Priyosakhi Devi has appealed to ATSUM to withdraw its proposed 12-hour total shutdown.

Addressing a press meet at the conference hall of RIMS on Sunday, Dr Priyosakhi clarified that as RIMS is a central institute and all issues are under the control of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, RIMS authority cannot implement any new policy without the approval of the Ministry.

Hence, the implementation of the points agreed between RIMS authority and ATSUM on reservation policy for the recent recruitment process in the institute has been delayed, she added.

Priyosakhi continued that the institute is in communication with the Ministry regarding the agreement reached with ATSUM.

The Ministry is also processing the matter as fast as it could, but as the process takes some time there is some delay.

Urging to wait for few days for getting the approval from the centre, she appealed to ATSUM to revoke its call for shutdown and other stirs proposed from Monday onwards.

The press conference was also attended by RIMS Hospital medical superintendent Prof N Sanjib and deputy director (Admn) N Indrakumar.

On the other hand, student bodies, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK, AIMS and another organisation have appealed to ATSUM to withdraw the shutdown call given by it in pursuance of their demand to RIMS in connection with the institute's recruitment process.

In a joint release, the student bodies suggested that the shutdown be withdrawn in the interest of the public and should resort to other form of agitation which does not disturb the public.

Stating that the organisations have trust in ATSUM to work for ensuring that RIMS follows the rules and regulations of a central institute, the joint release also pledged to fully support the Union in punishing anyone involved in violating the rules and press higher authorities to make sure that the rules are followed.

However, let's not harm the public, the student bodies said.

The release further asserted that they will look into the RIMS' present condition and administrative flaws in the interest of the people.

In-spite of the appeal to drop the agitation plan and clarification issued on the issue, All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) announced imposition of 12-hour total shut down in all hill districts from 6 am of April 24.The students' body said in a release that it has decided to go ahead with the proposed agitation "as decided in the joint meeting of All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) and its subordinate bodies and federating units on April 17, and as announced in the media, of resorting to agitation from April 24, 2023".ATSUM will go ahead with total shut down demanding befitting action against the erring RIMS authority, it said.

The agitation is also to demand the implementation of MoA signed between RIMS, ATSUM arid Manipur government on April 3, ATSUM announced, adding that emergency services will be exempted from the purview of the shutdown.

It then appealed to the public to extend cooperation and support to its demand for prevalence of rule of law in RIMS.

"Any inconvenience caused to the general public on account of the total shut down is highly regretted," it added.

Meanwhile, Kuki Students' Union (KSO) General Headquarters and All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) endorsed the 12-hour total shutdown called by ATSUM against the RIMS authority for failing to implement of the MOA.

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