ATSUM suspends economic blockade temporarily

Imphal: The All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has officially announced today to suspend the ongoing economic blockade along the national highways with immediate effect. The decision was taken in a meeting held in Kangpokpi on Wednesday.

ATSUM’s meeting to suspend the ongoing economic blockade, however, will be temporary in the hill areas of Manipur. This was announced by the general secretary of ATSUM after the crucial meeting in the presence of its federating units.

SR. Andria, general secretary ATSUM in a press briefing stated that after exclusive deliberation and considering the plight of the general public due to the ongoing economic blockade along the National Highway of the state, the office of ATSUM temporarily suspended the ongoing economic blockade with immediate effect but, the student leader also mentioned that ATSUM will continue the agitation in different form of democratic agitations.

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According to a press release issued from the Information & Publicity wing of ATSUM, it stated as reaffirming the resolute stance of the ATSUM for introduction of the HAC recommended “The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, the ATSUM remind the members of the HAC to clear their positions on the said bill which was unanimously recommended on August 16, 2021.

Further, the student body urged GoM to honour the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with ATSUM on November 25, 2021 and to materialize the same at the earliest time without further derailment. While reaffirming the position of ATSUM on the ADC Bill, 2021 and however considering the plight of the general public with regard to the ongoing economic blockade, the ATSUM has decided to temporarily suspend the ongoing economic blockade along the National Highways of the state with immediate effect but resolved to further continue the agitation with other forms of democratic agitations.

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The office of ATSUM extended heartfelt gratitude to ANSAM, KSO, ATSUM federating units, senior leaders and general public for extending unflinching support to the union in the genuine demand for realization of the constitutional rights of the tribals. The union also appeals all to continue supporting the movement for securing the future of the tribal populace.

ATSUM and its federating units hold their hands together and had a mass spoken prayer for the success of their movement at the end of the meeting held at Kangpokpi today.

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