Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24 2009:
While acknowledging hardships being faced by the general public owing to the ongoing economic blockade, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur has cautioned traders against hiking prices of consumer goods.
An ATSUM statement issued by its information and publicity secretary, G Gaisingam said the current phase of agitation had been imposed in pursuit of 'our demand' which is meant not only for the tribals but for all the peoples of Manipur.
Reacting to reports in some State dailies regarding the impasse over reservation for SC/ST candidates in the recruitment of posts in Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the student body suggested that the Speaker clarify his position on the matter.
Gaisingam also dismissed as unwarranted, the alleged remark by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister that he (Minister) is being singled out for criticism as he belongs to a 'particular' community.
ATSUM had been raising objections against the ongoing recruitment conducted by Manipur Rural road Development Agency under the RD&PR as the recruitment exercise is not conforming to guidelines issued by the Union Government, the secretary claimed.
On the issue of price rise, ATSUM insisted that traders/business community in Thangal Bazar area are taking undue advantage of the situation as prices are being hiked on non-perishable goods that were already stored well ahead of the blockade.
Cautioning that ATSUM can easily identify trucks and vehicles that pass through the Highways as well as the items carried by the transporters, Gaisingam called upon the traders to desist from the practice of inflating prices.