RIMS director’s appeal an “appeasing policy”, MoHFW directives not a solution: ATSUM executive member

By Kaybie Chongloi

The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM)’s 12-hour total shutdown in the hill districts of Manipur crippled normal life in Kangpokpi as well apart from other hill districts in the state. The total shutdown began at 6 AM this morning and concluded at 6PM this evening.

All business establishments and educational institutions (except those conducting examinations) in Kangpokpi District Headquarters remained shut.

The National Highway -2 connecting the state capital Imphal with the rest of the world wore a deserted look as vehicles including commercial vehicles stayed off the road. Only those vehicles exempted from the purview of the total shutdown were seen on the streets.

Speaking to Northeast Live, ATSUM Social and Culture Secretary, Paul said that the State Government had verbally approached ATSUM through some hill representatives for talks but ATSUM did not receive any official intimation or invitation through proper channels so far.

“ATSUM also considers talks without commitment as purposeless or inefficacious, so, we went ahead with the proposed total shutdown to show our disappointment over the RIMS authority’s adamant attitude in materializing the tripartite ‘Memorandum of Agreement’ signed on April 3,” he added.

Responding to a query with regards to the RIMS Director’s appeal to put on hold the protest for the time being, the ATSUM executive said that it was just an “appeasing policy” on the part of the RIMS authority.

In connection with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, North East Section directive to the RIMS authority, the ATSUM executive said that the Ministry was just conveying to the RIMS authority about the process initiated over the RIMS reservation imbroglio while adding that it was not a solution or in any way addressing the demands of the ATSUM.

The ATSUM executive also said that no decision on the further course of action has been decided as ATSUM along with its subordinates and federating units will put their heads together and decide the further course of action to be initiated.

Also Read: Roads deserted, businesses shut, transportation halted as ATSUM’s 12 hours bandh in Manipur hill districts begin