ATSUM calls for economic blockade

Imphal, Apr 30: The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) today called for a 12-hour general strike starting from 1800 hours tomorrow.

This will be followed by an economic blockade from 0600 hours on May second till 0600 hours on May seven, ATSUM pulic secretary Joseph Hmar said.

Mr Hmar said the stir would continue till the state government fulfills their charter of demands.

Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) for tribals, job reservations, and appointment of teachers were some of the issues, the ATSUM wants to be solved.

Earlier, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh along with the ATSUM representatives met the Prime Minister and apprised him of the situation but no response has been received from him so far.

The union, therefore, has demanded the government to officially introduce a Bill in the next Assembly to reconvert the Manipur University from Central to State University or else create a separate university for the tribals.

They have also demanded 32 per cent reservation for the tribal students in the Central universities.

UNI