The 12-hour total shutdown imposed by the All Manipur Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the entire hill districts of Manipur on Saturday ended peacefully with no reports of any untoward incidents.
In Kangpokpi district, the total shutdown was strictly endorsed by the Kuki Students' Organisation (JSO) Sadar Hills and its unit in the entire district.
The total shutdown began at 5 am and ended at 5 pm. All business establishments in various areas of the district wererclosed as per the KSO Sadar Hills unit's report.
Only emergency services and cases like medical affairs, religion, exams, etc. were exempted from the purview of the total shutdown.
The 12-hour total shutdown was also observed in Churachandpur, with the support from the Kuki Student Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur and the Young Paite Association, general headquarters.
Unlike the past, all shops remained closed throughout the length and breadth of the main Tiddim road, stretching from Kangvai to New Lamka where even water supply through vehicles were reportedly not exempted from the bandh. However, some emergency services were exempted though KSO had announced on Friday that all activities will be halted within the bandh period.
The volunteers were placed at three places in Tuibong side as well as at New Lamka side to enforce the bandh. No untoward incident occurred till the filing of this report
Meanwhile, Manipuri tribal communities in Delhi under the aegis of Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi (MTFD) organised a mass protest rally on Saturday at the national capital, demanding the introduction of HAC recommended ADC Bill 2021 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly and also in support of the collective tribal movement spearheaded by ATSUM, KSO and ANSAM.
The ATSUM had, in line with the MTFD's mass protest rally in Delhi, simultaneously imposed a 12-hour total shutdown in the entire hill districts of the state.
Meanwhile, ATSUM expressed gratitude to all the student bodies and civil bodies which rendered all possible help and assistance in enforcing the 12-hour total shutdown in the entire hill districts of Manipur.
On behalf of the student body, its information and publicity secretary Khaiminlen Doungel appreciated ANSAM, KSO and its branches and ATSUM federating units for being a staunch defender of tribal rights by supporting and sustaining the ADC movement.
He continued that considering the importance of the ADC movement to secure the rights of the tribal people of the state, and in support of HAC recommended ADC Bill 2021, tribal communities in Delhi under the aegis of Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi (MTFD) held a mass protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.
He also said that ATSUM lauded the resolve and support of Manipuri tribals in Delhi in showing unity and integrity for the cause of the tribal people's movement.
The student body also thanked Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Naga Students’ Union Chandel (NSUC), Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM), Joint Student Bodies (JSB) Churachandpur, KSO Churachandpur, KSO Sadar Hills, KSO Saikul, KSO Tengnoupal, KSO Moreh Block, KSO Jiri and Tamenglong, KSO Ukhrul, Young Paite Association, General Headquarters, Hmar Students Association, Churachandpur Joint Headquarter, Zillai (Vaiphei Students' Association), Churachandpur District and Gangte Students' Organisation, General Headquarters.
While appealing for continuous support, ATSUM also expressed regret for any inconveniences caused to the general public during the bandh.
