Arrested ATSUM leaders released; economic blockade lifted in Manipur

Arrested leaders of the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) were released from judicial custody yesterday.

The release comes after the Manipur Government and ATSUM reached an agreement earlier in the day wherein the union agreed to lift the economic blockade post the release of its leaders.

The ATSUM leaders who were released from the Shajiwa jail yesterday are union president Paotinthang Lupheng, Andria Sinruwang, Khaiminlen Doungel, Marankhai Awungshi, and John H Pulamte.

They were picked up by Imphal West police on August 2 morning ahead of its proposed bandh called to press for tabling and passing of the Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill, 2021 recommended by the Hill Areas Committee.

Later the 5 arrested ATSUM leaders were sent to 15-day judicial custody.

However, after 3 rounds of talks between the Hill Areas Committee led by Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei and Tribal Affairs minister Letpao Haokip and the ATSUM delegation a breakthrough was achieved, and finally, on Monday the five arrested leaders of the hill-based pressure group were released.

It may be mentioned that the ATSUM had imposed an emergency shutdown of the hill districts followed by an economic blockade post the arrest of its leaders.

The situation had turned tense in the hill districts and the valley as well with the locking of the ATSUM office in Imphal and subsequent cases of burning of vehicles.

This led to the suspension of internet services in the entire Manipur and the imposition of sec 144 in the Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.