IMPHAL, June 13: The All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) led by Muan Tombing, has threatened to close down higher secondary schools in the entire hill districts with effect from June 14 in case the State government fails to meet the deadline served by ATSUM to fulfill its charter of demands.
Announcing the decision during a press conference held at its office today, Muan Tombing revealed that ATSUM will resort to cut off all communications including ban on national projects, as second phase of its agitation.
It may be mentioned that ATSUM submitted an ultimatum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, on April 13 reminding the latter to fulfill its long pending demands within the stipulated time of April 14 to June 14, 2015.
The ATSUM`™s president recalled that on October 22, 2014 the executive members of the ATSUM met the Chief Minister of Manipur wherein the CM had agreed to meet several terms of the ATSUM.
Elaborating on the agreement reached, he said assurance was given by the Chief Minister for setting up and making ST commission functional on the eve of new year 2015 which has remain mere wishful thinking.
Subsequently, the ATSUM felt that it was pertinent to serve an ultimatum in the interest of the tribal for early activation of ST commission on or before June 14, 2014.
With regards to the regularisation of 705 contract lecturers, the government was reminded to complete the special formalities of regularisation before the commencement of the academic session 2015-16, he added.
To streamline and strengthen the functioning of the education department, the Government of Manipur in an order Imphal, June 1 2007 had bifurcated the duties and responsibilities between the directors and additional director of Education (S) department, Tombing pointed out.
At the same time, the same was agreed upon in the discourse between GOM and ATSUM, Education Minister and director Education (S) had given the assurance to publish it in a gazette very shortly. However, nothing has been implemented till date besides the additional directors (hills) has been given neither the responsibilities of the hills nor the power to function as given in the order, continued the ATSUM president.
Issues pertaining to manipulation and exploitation of tribal quota in Manipur legislative Assembly, transfer of land records and special recruitment drive in JNIMS etc are featured in the demands of the ATSUM.
The press meet held at its office located at Nagaram, Imphal was also attended by ATSUM finance Secretary SR Andria, Education Secretary Lovejoy Shimrah and its Vice President Korophun.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/atsum-warns-closure-of-hr-secondary-schools-in-hill-districts/