Imphal, January 29: Following the State Government's decision to hand over The Elizabeth Lungnila's murder case to the CBI, the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has dropped its demand for a white paper on the murder case, disclosed ATSUM spokesperson Joseph H Hmar.

Talking to mediapersons at hotel Embicy Chingmeirong today, Joseph H Hmar stated that ATSUM has faith and believes in the Credibility of the CBI and also hopes that it will reciprocate by booking the culprits and solving the mystery behind the brutal murder.

The student leader also appealed to all the political parties to refrain from sensationalizing the issue for vested interest.

Mention may be made here that ATSUM had organized sit in protests in different parts of the State from Jan 20 to 24 as a mark of protest against the Government's indifferent attitude towards ATSUM's demand for a white paper on the murder case and a separate Directorate for schools of the hill areas.

Commenting on ATSUM's demand for a separate directorate for the hill areas, Joseph informed that a four member team of ATSUM led by its president met the Chief Minister yesterday and had a thorough discussion on the matter.

Although the Chief Minister stated that it would be impossible to set up a separate directorate immediately, he informed that efforts are on to appoint a new Additional Director of Education (Schools) Hills to look after the schools in the hill districts, said Joseph and added that NK Shimray has been appointed as the Additional Director in charge for the purpose.

Elaborating on the Sixth Schedule Demand Committee's demand for implementation of sixth schedule in the hill districts, Joseph said that ATSUM will extend all possible moral support to the agitation of the committee till the demands are met.

Sadar Hills demand: Reacting strongly against the State Government's apathy towards the demand for creation of Sadar Hills Dist, the Sadar Hills Dist Demand Committee (SHDDC) has resolved to continue the Sadar Hills 72 hrs bandh from 6 pm of February 4 to 6pm of February 7.In a statement, Lunthang Haokip, Jt Secy Information and Publicity, SHDDC however informed that medical, power, fire and media services will be relaxed from the purview of the bandh.

The statement further said that an indefinite economic blockade on the highways would be launched immediately after the 72 hrs bandh if the State Government still remains indifferent to the issue.