ATSUM’s proposed inter-state bandh deferred

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 5 (EMN): All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM)’s proposed 48-hour inter-state bandh and ban on construction works of national projects in Manipur which was scheduled to commence from November 5, has been deferred for the time being following an agreement with the state government during a meeting, sources said.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh accompanied by ministers Vungzagin Valte (Tribal affairs and Hills), L Dikho (Public Health Engineering department), Awangbow Newmai (Forest and Environment), MLA Ginsuanhau, additional chief secretary, director (Tribal affairs and Hills) attended the meeting held at chief minister’s secretariat in Imphal on Wednesday. Representatives of ATSUM led by its president Seiboi Haokip were also present during the meeting.

Later, the ATSUM’s general secretary Andria Sinruwng through a press communiqué informed that the proposed 48-hour inter-state bandh has been deferred for time being following an agreement.

ATSUM, however, warned that the deferred agitation is liable to resume in the event of the state government’s failure to materialise the agreed terms and on the basis of the outcome of the joint meeting of ATSUM and its federating units to be held on November 12, 2020.

It may be mentioned that ATSUM has been demanding the government to hold elections to six ADCs in hill districts in November as terms of the current ADCs had expired in May this year.

The state government had extended the terms for six months citing inconveniences in holding the elections during the rainy season among others. Manipur has six ADCs–Churachandpur, Chandel, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul.

Last month, ATSUM had also warned to call a 48-hour inter-state bandh on October 26 onwards besides shutting down the undergoing national projects in the state if the concerned authority failed to issue election notification for ADCs on or before October 25.