Manipur ADC Bill Row: Situation remains tense with complete shutdown

The situation continues to remain tense in parts of the hill districts of Manipur as the areas witness a near-complete shutdown in the wake of the call given by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur(ATSUM).

Police detained the ATSUM president and other top leaders of the organization yesterday leading to the imposition of an emergency shutdown in the hill areas by the Union.

From Senapati to Churachandpur, markets and shops remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads as various hill areas-based student unions extended their support to the ATSUM bandh.

In areas like Churachandpur, the shutdown has been total with shops, business establishments, educational institutions, and even government offices remaining closed.

However, there has been no input of any untoward incident from anywhere. In Churachandpur the KSO has extended full support to the ATSUM bandh. KSO spokesperson DJ Haokip told Northeast Live that the agitation will continue if the detained ATSUM leaders were not released.

Meanwhile, the ATSUM has lashed out at the State government for allegedly manipulating the tribal populace of the state by introducing ‘Vested interest individual bills’ eliminating the important word ‘Autonomous’.

The Apex tribal student body also lashed out at Manipur Tribal Affairs and Hill Areas Minister Letpao Haokip for introducing the Manipur Hill Areas District Council Bill 2022 while allegedly removing the word ‘Autonomous’.

ATSUM also stated the Tribals in Manipur under the banner of ATSUM have been striving towards inclusive governance for better transparency and bridge the gap of development, to bring equal development.

The Union added, under Article 371 C, Tribals of Manipur under the Govt of India have the full authority and autonomy under AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT COUNCIL.

It may be mentioned that Manipur Tribal Affairs and Hill Areas Minister Letpao Haokip introduced the Manipur Hills Areas District Council 6th Amendment Bill 2022 and Manipur Hills Areas District Council 7th Amendment Bill 2022 in the assembly yesterday. However, the ATSUM is not satisfied with the move.