Newmai News Network
SENAPATI/IMPHAL, Feb 14
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]conomic blockade in Manipur is inevitable now with the Emboi Serto-led All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) turning down the talk offer of the Manipur government today.
ATSUM planned to impose indefinite economic blockade in all the national highways leading to Manipur from Sunday.
“We will only accept the government invitation for talk only after the latter implements some of our demands,” ATSUM speaker David Choro informed Newmai News Network tonight. He also said every year, the State government has been giving assurances to address the tribal related issues plaguing in Manipur “but till date nothing concrete is witnessed.”
Given this stand of ATSUM, the indefinite economic blockade is inexorable as the State government will not be able to move things in just one day i.e. Saturday.“We would like to see the State government of Manipur start moving files and implement at least some of our demands. Then only we will come down to the state capital Imphal for talks,” asserted David Choro, adding, “For how long can the tribal people go on like this fooled by the State government”.
The ATSUM leader further stated, “Enough is enough. We are not one element easily gets smitten by the lip-service of the State Government.”
Meanwhile, all the ATSUM volunteers led by the Union’s top functionaries are now stationed in the ‘strategic locations’ readying to impose the indefinite economic blockade, according to another ATSUM source.
The State government source, on the other hand, informed NNN that a few days ago it had invited the ATSUM for talks today. “But the student body representatives did not turn up for the talks,” rued the source.
“I have no idea about the talks,” said ATSUM president Emboi Serto talking to NNN from a location in the hill district. It may be recalled here that on February 1, the ATSUM led by its president Emboi Serto had threatened Manipur Government that it would opt for indefinite economic blockade in tribal areas beginning February 16 if the tribal student body’s pending demands are not met at the earliest.
