ATSUM shutdown raises specter of hill-valley divide

An Imphal-based organization called Meitei Leepun locked the office of the ATSUM situated at Chingmeirong in Imphal.

Amid the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur’s economic blockade in the hill districts, the Union’s office in Imphal was locked yesterday triggering a possibility of a further hill-valley divide in the state.

An Imphal-based organization called Meitei Leepun locked the office of the ATSUM situated at Chingmeirong in Imphal.

The Meitei Leepun said that while it is not against the demands placed by ATSUM, it is opposed to the 2-day shutdown imposed by the Union in all the hill districts of the state.

Meanwhile, the apex tribal student bodies including the ATSUM, ANSAM, and KSO condemned what it termed the unwarranted locking of the ATSUM office in Imphal.

All Naga Students Association’s Manipur general secretary AC Thotso termed the locking of the ATSUM office as unfortunate.

He added that the people from the hill areas see it as a direct challenge to the tribal populace.

The hill-based student bodies also targeted the N Biren Singh-led state government over the incident.

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