Wednesday, August 13, 2008

48-hour Manipur strike begins

Imphal, Aug 12 : The All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has called a 48-hour Statewide general strike from Monday midnight which is expected to force the transporters to suspend their normal services.

ATSUM’s general strike will be effected from Monday midnight till midnight of Wednesday (August 13) as a part of its ongoing month-long series of agitations to press the State Government to fulfill their demands.
“We will go ahead with our strike as planned earlier”, Joseph Hmar, spokesman of the tribal students body said. Mention may be made here that the students’ body shortened the bandh period following appeal from various sections taking into account hardships that would befall the common people. Earlier, the ATSUM had planned to call a 96 hour bandh from August 10.

The student leader told this reporter that they will not talk with the government. “We are fed up with talks, we’ll not hold any talks with the government until and unless we receive the decision of the government on our demands”, Joseph said.

The Student body also warned to close down all educational institutions in the hills from August 18 to 23. ATSUM’s demands include appointment of the required teachers for hill schools, tribal quota in Manipur University and other educational infrastructures.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Drivers Welfare Association has appealed to the State Government to bring an amicable solution to the general strike called by the ATSUM.

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