Tribal students impose blockade in Manipur

Imphal:The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) has imposed an indefinite economic blockade on national highways and a ban on all central government projects from Monday night.
Due to the blockade all Manipur bound vehicles remained stranded in the border areas. Even though the blockade began just today, most oil depots were closed down and petroleum products were not available.
Normalcy had been restored in the state after the United Naga Council(UNC) called off the economic blockade last month.
ATSUM president Muan Tombing said the blockade was imposed as the state government had failed to implement the promise given in November last year.
ATSUM had submitted a 12-point charter of demands related to education, employment, bifurcation of power, opening of new offices, setting up of new Commission and other schemes for Scheduled Tribes. The government had not acted on the demands hence the stir, it added.
Meanwhile two tribal bodies, Senapati District Student’s Association (SDSA) and Kuki Student’s Organization-Sadar Hills have opposed the decision of ATSUM and they vowed to make Senapati district not affected by the stir.
General Secretary of SDSA Shakpa Maram and KSO-SH General Secretary Lamcha in their statements stated that any confusion over the bandh should not affect the people as the bandh does not cover the Senapati district.
The timing of calling the blockade has affected the state as Manipur is preparing for one of the largest festivals, the Ningol Chakkouba, on October 25 and Tourism festival next month.(UNI)