Highway blockade continues in Manipur

{image-manipur protest_07052008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Imphal, May 7: The 120-hour economic blockade, imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) on highways in the state, was today extended to another 240 hours. ATSUM general secretary Thomas Taishya said the blockade has been extended till 0600 hours on May 17. The ATSUM had imposed the blockade to protest the alleged failure of the state government to fulfill the demands of the tribals.

The union alleged that the government had failed to resolve the issue of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) for tribal areas of Manipur. The union also demanded reservation of tribal quota in the Manipur University (MU) on the basis of the tribal population in the state.

The MU, being a Central university, follows the all-India pattern for reservation of seats. The ATSUM contended that 34 per cent of the population in Manipur consisted of tribals and therefore the reservation provided should also be 34 per cent.

It also demanded more teachers and proper infrastructure for schools in hill areas. Meanwhile, following the stir, all the highways in Manipur were blocked and only passenger vehicles were allowed to travel. More than 100 trucks of the Manipur police were also stranded on the highway.

UNI