Tribal students lift economic blockade, vehicles start arriving
Imphal: Indefinite economic blockade called by All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) was lifted this morning with stranded vehicles, carrying goods and petroleum products, being allowed to proceed towards Imphal. ATSUM had imposed the blockade from Sunday last. It agreed to lift the blockade following assurance by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to fulfill their demands. Government spokesperson , M Okendro said state Chief Secretary Lawmkunga will take up necessary steps within a month’s time to fulfil the 200 Point Roster Reservation rules. A tribal MCS officer will also be appointed as Additional Director (Hills), School Education Department. Tribal reservation policy is different for Manipur and central governments and as the Centre provides lower percentage in recruitment in central government universities in the state Manipur government will request central authority to increase the percentage of tribals in central universities functioning in the state it was stated. Following the lifting of economic blockade, oil depots may start providing petroleum products as usual. During the last few days petrol was sold at Rs 120 to Rs 150 per litre in black market. (UNI)
Mos for defence call a meeting about the fate of labourers
Itanagar: Union Minister of State for defence Jitendra Singh would convening a meeting of top BRO officials on Wednesday to discuss about the fate of labourers working under Project Vartak in Tawang and West Siang District. Singh assured that the decision would be revoked at the earliest for the welfare of the labourers who mostly consisted of local indigenous. About 7000 casual labourers were retrenched in the wake of the finance ministry’s decision to cut the budget down to 20 percent. On February 11, Sanjoy along with T N Norbu, principal advisor to CM and parliamentary secretary, PWD and Jambey Tashi, parliamentary secretary, Civil Aviation called on A K Antony, Union Defence Minister submitted a letter at Defence Minister’s south block office and urged upon him to immediately give directive for quashing of mass discharge order of the Vartak authority. Sanjoy also pleaded that the labourers be instead provided with difficult and winter allowances for working under trying circumstances and treacherous terrains round the clock, the release added. (UNI)
JD (U) Mahila Wing General Secretary visits Nagaland
Kohima: Janata Dal (United) national General Secretary of Mahila Wing, Dipti Sharma, who is also the in charge of Northeast and West Bengal, visited Nagaland and apprised the party and Mahila Wing of the overall political scenario at the Centre on Friday last in Dimapur. According to a press release issued by General Secretary JD (U), Lakui Kips said that Sharma said that ‘the congress party at the Centre being discredited has lost its ground and there will be no UPA Government after the Lok Sabha elections in this year. (UNI)