TKS to stay away from ATSUM’s blockade
UKHRUL, August 22: Even as the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM) is all set to enforce its proposed indefinite economic blockade in all hill districts of the State beginning from mid-night tonight, the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) has decided to refrain from supporting the blockade citing the prevailing situation in the Ukhrul district headquarters.
Declaring TKS’s position vis-à-vis the ensuing the agitation in an interaction with this IFP correspondent this evening, president Joel Angkang said that a highly volatile situation is prevailing in the district and after carefully weighing up the pros and cons, we have, for once, come to the decision to stay away from participation.
“Our stand should not be misunderstood as going against the move of ATSUM in any way for we fully endorse the cause which is for the welfare of tribal student community,” Angkang reasoned adding that we have been constrained by the prevailing situation here this time.
At the same time, stopping short of expressing a chagrined sentiment, he also lamented that TKS has so far not received any official communication from the apex tribal students’ body in connection with the ongoing agitation to pressurise the State government and the Manipur University authorities to implement the Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 with effect from the current academic session.
“Apart from the current situation in the township, we cannot blindly participate in the agitation as we have not received any official intimation as regards the organisation of bandh or blockade from the apex body which is spearheading the move,” Angkang further rued.
Mention may be made here that TKS had earlier abstained from organising the twin bandh called by the two ATSUM factions since midnight of August 20 last on account of the prevailing situation.
Meanwhile, reports have said that passenger bus service along the Imphal-Ukhrul route was disrupted on Friday due to the bandh enforced by the apex tribal students’ body while some Winger taxis along the route continued their service.
However, the bandh has had little impact on the day to day life of the public in Ukhrul town as all government offices and business establishments remained open while traffic movement remained normal.
ATSUM Muan Tombing faction calls of agitation
Imphal, August 22: The indefinite agitation which was called from August 23 mid-night by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur, ATSUM has been called-off after Manipur University authorities assured to implement the Central Educational Institutional (Reservation in Admission) Amendment 2012 within 15 days.
Speaking to media this evening, president Maun Tombing said that Manipur University and the State government tabled a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Office Chamber from 4 pm till 6:30 pm.
In the meeting both sides discussed on the reservation amendment to implement, following which the MU authority has assured for implementing the central reservation norms in MU from this session within 15 days. And the admission in the central MU will also resume after the reservation is implemented in the MU, he said.
Accordingly, ATSUM has decided to called off the indefinite agitation which was fixed to launch from August 23 mid-night including ban on national projects and economic blockade etc.
Tombing said that in the meeting Chief Minister, his group of ministers and Hills area committee chairman from the government side and MU authority were present, but ATSUM was not present.
The government gave intimation of positive outcome of the meeting to ATSUM.
Tombing continued, apart from admission reservation for the student, ATSUM has put forwarded two additional points which included that the ACT should be applicable to all Central Education Institutes in the State, and also to cover recruitments of teaching and non-teaching staff.
And within the stipulated time if the Govt. fails to implement the above mentioned points then ATSUM will take up any form of agitation, added the ATSUM president.
Embroi Serto group to go ahead with blockade
KANGPOKPI, Aug.22: The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur has resolved to go on with its proposed indefinite economic blockade from August 22 midnight.
General secretary Marahang Ngiimai said after the executive meeting said the student body has at this moment no other choice than to continue with the blockade of all highways passing through the State with effect from today’s midnight.
He continued that the Manipur University authorities who few years back are hell bent on implementing the Central Education Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2005 and trying to delay the implementation of the amended version of the said Act even though the University Grant Commission had given a clear instruction to abide by it way back in September 28, 2012.
In fact, the same could have been enforced since 2013-14 academic sessions onwards. We are here demanding nothing from the share of other communities but demanding what is due to us asserted Marahang Ngiimai before cautioning that ATSUM will accept no further excuse or delaying tactics from any authority concern.
The agitation is to press the state Government and the concerned authority to implement the Central Education Institute (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 immediately from this current academic session.
Having the opportunity to remind the state government of various unfinished agenda of ATSUM, Marahang Ngiimai asserted that the student body demands settlement of RULES of the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for SC/ST) Act, 1976 once and for all while we understand that Department of Personnel has initiated some steps to resolve the issue.
Secondly, ATSUM reserved no words in objecting the recent recruitment of Teachers for government schools located in Jiribam Sub-Division whereby it accepts application only for residents of the Sub-Division the general secretary said while adding that though ATSUM has been suggesting for recruitment of teachers on District Cadre Basis, we object the practice of the same in only one particular sub-division and the government must be prepared to enforce the same practice in all other areas especially the hill districts of Manipur.
Thirdly, while demanding the state Government to implemented and follow the Tribal Sub-Plan in letter and spirit in the State, ATSUM general secretary lamented that the government of India during the Fifth Year Plan comes up with concept of this plan to bridge the gap between the tribal and others in developmental works but regardless of various reminders and follow-up action initiated by the Planning Commission, the government of Manipur is obstinating in implementing the said program and put the same in cold storage, Marahang added.
Fourthly, while warning the state Government not to introduce any schemes or policy that concern the tribals, Marahang Ngiimai asserted that when the very long standing demands of the tribals of the state that includes – autonomy and full functioning of the Hill Areas Committee, the state Government must not implement the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) in Manipur.
