Decision followed an agreement with government which says there will be a discussion between Hill Areas Committee (HAC), Manipur legislative Assembly and the State Government within 5 (five) days time i.e November 30, 2021 on the draft Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bill 2021
TFM Desk
The Manipur government managed to strike a deal with agitating tribal students’ organisations which agreed to suspend the ongoing economic blockade for the time being.
The agreement was made between the ATSUM, KSO, ANSAM and the Government in the presence of Minister Letpao Haokip, Minister L Dikho and Minister Vungzagin Valte and the officers of Tribal Affairs and Hills Department.
The agreement was signed by Additional Chief Secretary Letkhogin Haokip for the government, ATSUM president Paotinthang Lupheng, ANSAM president Wangtae Thiirtung and KSO GHQ president Sasang Vaiphel.
The terms of the agreement are as below:
1 There will be a discussion between Hill Areas Committee (HAC), Manipur legislative Assembly and the State Government within 5 (five) days time i.e 30th November 2021 on the draft Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bill 2021.
2. Thereafter, the draft ADC Bill 2021 shall be introduced by the Government in the upcoming Winter Assembly Session, 2021 after completing the due process of law provided under the Constitution of India.
3. The Government shall release all the Executives of ATSUM, KSO, and ANSAM unconditionally and the ongoing economic blockade shall be suspended for the time being.
Earlier in the day, the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) slammed the “unlawful” arrest of ATSUM, ANSAM and KSO-GHQ leaders at Nungba by Manipur police around 11:30 pm on Wednesday. “This act of aggression led by the present Government against democratic agitation has seriously created complete chaos and painted Manipur as a State led by Totalitarian form of Government,” it said.
In a statement, the ATSUM said the whole tribal populace will not succumb to such repressive tactics to deny the constitutional rights of the Tribals but will rise and stand firm with our legitimate demands and ensure that justice be delivered to the Tribals in the State as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
Drawing the attention of the Manipur Government to respectfully act within the ambits of the rule of Law, the student body demanded immediate release of the detained leaders without any conditions before 2.00 pm of Thursday. Failure which, the ATSUM and its federating units will be compelled to take up the strongest form of public agitation with total shutdown in the State, it warned.
Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Kuki Students’ Organization Sadar Hills, Joint Student Bodies Churachandpur, Manipur University Tribal students Union, Senapati District Student Association, Naga Student Union Chandel, Kuki Students’ Organization Churachandpur and All College Tribal Students’ Union Imphal issued similar statements condemning the arrest.