Shadow of eco-blockade looming
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Senapati, February 10 2014: Indefinite economic blockade is looming large in Manipur.

If things do not go right in the next few days the tribal students are likely to impose indefinite economic blockade along the national highways leading to Manipur from February 16 .

On Monday, the Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) has endorsed the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) led by Emboi Serto to launch indefinite economic blockade from February 16 in protest against the non-fulfillment of its demand by the Manipur Government.

While lashing out against the state government for not considering the genuine demand and interest of the tribal community as stated by ATSUM, the SDSA noted that these demands are long pending and need immediate attention.

Endorsing the position of the ATSUM, the SDSA said it will fully supports and co-operates with the proposed indefinite economic blockade to be launched by ATSUM starting from February 16.It also condemned the alleged indifferent attitude of the State Government in addressing the demands of the tribal people and that it will only draw negative consequent between the people and Government.

Earlier, ATSUM had said it had been trying its best to convince the government to look into the various issues faced by the tribal communities.

The government's negligence and prolonged decision on the issues are condemned by both SDSA and ATSUM.

ATSUM had urged the Government to meet its demands such as rules for reservation, separate directorate of education for the hill, adherence to reservation norms while recruiting contract lecturers and adhoc teachers in the Education Department, decentralization of the Tribal Affairs & Hills, solution for the problems confronting the Indira Gandhi Tribal University, and devolution of powers to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), among others.

On February 1, the ATSUM led by its president Emboi Serto had threatened Manipur Government it would opt for indefinite economic blockade in tribal areas beginning February 16 if the tribal student body's pending demands are not met at the earliest.

All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) had held a sit-in protest in front of MBC Church, Chingmeirong here on February 1 calling the state Government for fulfillment of its long-pending demands and threatened it would go for indefinite economic blockade if the Government fails to settle with the union at the earliest.

"Manipur Government has ignored our demands.

We'll wait its response for some more days and then we will impose economic blockade in the tribal inhabited areas of Manipur from February 16 if our demands are not met," said ATSUM general secretary Marahang while taking part in the protest.

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