Manipur tribal students’ bodies impose indefinite economic blockade along NHs

The indefinite economic blockade called by the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Kuki Students’ Organisation-General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and federating units of ATSUM, has come into force along national highways in the state. 

The economic blockade is part of a series of agitation that was launched by the students’ bodies from Saturday in the hill districts of Manipur. 

The protest was launched over the new Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bill. 

The tribal students’ bodies had served a 7-day ultimatum to the Manipur government demanding special session of the state Assembly to table the ADC Bill. 

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The economic blockade came into force from Sunday midnight. 

The blockade follows a 24-hour shutdown in all hill districts of Manipur. 

According to HAC, the new draft Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971 in order to provide more autonomy to the HAC and the district councils. 

However, the Manipur government did not table the Bill in the last Assembly session citing various legal issues.