JTSA resolves not to endorse ATSUM’s 24 hr shutdown

Imphal: “The Joint Tribe Students Association (JTSA) extends our support to the demands made by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM). However, total shut down at such difficult times is not encouraged,” JTSA said on Monday.

JTSA is a conglomeration of All lnpui Students’ Union (AISU), Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi, Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization Manipur, and Zeme Students’ Organization Manipur.

The JTSA is also not aware of the resolution adopted in the 2nd ATSUM General Assembly 2022 at Haipi Village, Sadar Hills and other meetings. In continuation with our previous stands while supporting the HAC recommended ADC Bill 2021, the Association urge all the elected tribal MLAs who are the representative of the peoples to raise their voice or resign on moral ground in demands of the bill. The responsibilities lie not only on the chairman HAC, but upon all tribal loving MLAs collectively, the joint student body said in a press release.

It appeals the state government to make every efforts giving due regards to the constitutional provisions provided under the Constitution of India for tribals by tabling the HAC Recommended ADC Bill in the Assembly.

After prolonged deliberations with the leaders, seniors and advisors, the JTSA resolved, not to endorse the ATSUM’s 24 hours total shutdown, which was imposed in the hill districts of Manipur with effect from 6 pm on Wednesday 3 till 6 pm of Thursday, the conglomerate student body said.

The whole stretch of NH-37, induding the Tongjei Mari! (Old Cachar road) shall remain open as usual to everyone. All shops, business establishments and government offices in Tamenglong and Noney (Longmai) shall remain open. All national projects executing under the said jurisdiction shall continue their work in full swing, it added.

It appealed to all the student bodies and village authorities located along NH-37 to assist smooth flow of traffic between Jiribam to Imphal and in between.

ATSUM on Monday announced the a 24-hour total shutdown. In a statement ATSUM said, “Expressing strong resentment against the state bovernment’s lackadaisical attitude towards the wish and desire of the tribal people to table the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) recommended ‘The Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill 2021′ in the ongoing 2nd Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly and the deceitful act of the incumbent HAC members in deviating from its previous position, All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) is constrained to call a 24 hour total shutdown with effect from 6 pm of August 3, 2022 to 6 pm of August 4, 2022 in the entire hill districts of the state”.

It said the total shutdown will be followed by “intense forms” of agitations from Friday.