IMPHAL, OCTOBER 21: The 24-hour total shutdown called by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur has hit normal life in the hill districts of the state on Thursday.
The shutdown, which was since October 19 midnight, was called in demand of the union that Manipur University adopt the CEI Act as amended in 2012 in admission of students to the varsity.
Most of the markets places in the hill towns remained closed while movement of inter-state and inter-district passenger services were also severely affected, reports reaching here said.
The usually busy Moreh, the border town of Manipur, also wore a deserted look dawn to dusk on Thursday. The shutdown was on as there was no positive response from Manipur University authorities.
The students’ union and the Manipur University tribal students union besides the Naga students association of Manipur had also organized a protest rally in Imphal. The shutdown of the ATSUM was also supported by many hill students’ bodies including the Thadou Students’ Association, the Kuki Students’ Organization, and the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur.
However, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked the Manipur University authority to follow reservation norms as stipulated by the Central Education Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 for admission in the university.
UGC Secretary Prof (Dr) Jaspal S Sandhu visited Manipur University in this regard. In another development, taking strong exception at the delay in the admission process in Manipur University and the ‘incomprehensible stand of the UGC team deputed to the state,’ the JAC Against the Implementation of State Reservation Policy in Admission in Manipur University has criticized the UGC delegate.
