Manipur 'bandh' call by tribal students affects life

Imphal, Oct 6 (UNI) A general strike called by the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM) and Manipur University Tribal Students Union (MUTSU) affected life partially here today.

The 36-hour 'bandh' started from 0600 hours to protest the recruitment of guest lecturers in History department of the Manipur University (MU).

Due to the strike, all inter-state passenger bus services were cancelled. However, oil depots, banks and offices functioned normally.

The Khwairamband Keithel, the main market, had a busy scene with a large numbers of people purchasing goods for the Durga Puja festival.

In a joint statement, the ATSUM and MUTSU said the strike was called to protest the failure of the Manipur University authorities to fulfill the demands of the tribal students, seeking 34 per cent reservation for them.

The MU, a central university, provides seven per cent reservation. The MU officials said the reservation policy was decided by the Union government and applicable to all varsities.

A decision in this regard could only be taken by the Centre.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had led a delegation to New Delhi to apprise the Central leadership about the issue. According to the ATSUM and MUTSU, the MU Vice-Chancellor had agreed to stop all appointments in the varsity until the matter was resolved, but the authorities went ahead with the normal recruitment process.

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