After reaching an understanding with the Manipur government, the proposed 48-hour ‘inter-state bandh’, which was scheduled to begin from September 14, has been suspended, reports said.
The proposed bandh was called by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM), the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) general headquarters to express resentment over the state government’s alleged lackadaisical attitude regarding their demands.
The decision to call the bandh was taken after the state government has allegedly failed to implement the charter of demands agreed on on August 13, 2019, between the state government and ATSUM, ANSAM and KSO, general headquarter at the chief minister’s conference hall.
The charter of demands of the students’ union includes filling up of Schedule Tribe backlog/shortfall posts of assistant professors in government colleges, opening of approved B.Eds centres in the hill districts, opening of science stream in Tamenglong and Senapati government colleges.
The union also demanded formulation of District Cadre recruitment and to stop the culture of utilisation of government employees.
According to reports, the representatives of three student bodies had a meeting with the state government represented by education minister Radheshyam Singh and forest minister Awangbou Newmai in Imphal on September 11 and discussed the ‘charter of demands’.
After thorough discussion, it was noted that there were progress in some issues and complete fulfilment of the charter of demands would require further discussions.
As such it is agreed that the respective departments would examine and process the issues immediately.
It was also agreed that the next round of meeting in the presence of the chief minister would be held on or before September 25, reports said.
So, the three tribal apex students’ bodies have suspended the proposed 48-hour inter-state bandh, reports added.
