The student body decided to call off the total shutdown after the government agreed to release the three ATSUM office bearers – Henkai Singsit, Khaiminlen Doungel and Simthar Jajo Doungel, unconditionally.
TFM Desk
The total shutdown in the hill districts of Manipur has been called off after the three office bearers of the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) were released after a meeting with the representatives of the state government.
On Tuesday evening, a meeting was convened by the state government at the official quarter of minister Letpao Haokip. The state government was represented by Water Resource and YAS minister Letpao Haokip, PHED minister L Dikho and TA & Hills minister Vungzagin Valte.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the representatives of the state government and ATSUM. The student body decided to call off the total shutdown after the government agreed to release the three ATSUM office bearers – Henkai Singsit, Khaiminlen Doungel and Simthar Jajo Doungel, unconditionally.
It was agreed to convene a meeting between the state government and ATSUM on Wednesday to settle the ADC election impasse.
On Tuesday, the All Tribal Student’s Union Manipur (ATSUM), the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and the All Naga Student’s Association Manipur (ANSAM) announced an emergency shutdown in the whole hill district of Manipur.
The three ATSUM leaders were arrested from their respective homes Monday night by Manipur police over the democratic agitation of ATSUM over the delay of ADC election in Manipur.
On Monday ATSUM had said that the government’s announcement of its decision to conduct the ADC Elections on or before June 25, 2021, was a one sided decision. No such agreement arrived between the state government and ATSUM during the discussion held on Monday at Conference Hall, TA & Hills department, it added.
As the meeting between the state government and ATSUM could not find any concrete solution, the ongoing agitation of ATSUM for demand for issuance of notification for elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) will continue as announced, ATSUM had said.