ATSUM – Hill Areas Committee member’s talks remain inconclusive

Despite 3 rounds of talks between the All Tribal Students Union Manipur and the Hill Areas Committee over the ADC Bill, 2021, and the arrest of 5 ATSUM leaders, efforts remained futile as the two sides failed to come to an agreement.

While the first round of talks lasted for around an hour, the 2nd went on for close to 45 minutes, the 3 round went past midnight till 1 AM today, in fact, the third round came as a surprise.

Moments after the 2nd round, the mediator from the student body, Paul Karang informed Northeast Live that the talks had failed to yield any result and that more discussions may follow in the following days.

Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee Dinganglung Gangmei along with other members of the HAC including Manipur Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister Letpao Haokip attended the meeting.

Karang had confirmed to Northeast Live that no understanding was reached. Karang also informed that the ATSUM delegation which also included leaders of the ANSAM and KSO, would in all probability hold another round of talks with the HAC.

The student Mediator also informed that the meeting was mainly informed sharing of opinions and hoped that an understanding will be reached, at the earliest.

Meanwhile, ATSUM will be holding a meeting in Senapati District today with all tribal CSOs of the State over the ADC Bill 2021.