Imphal, July 24 2009: Over 117 loaded trucks including a oil tanker have been escorted to Imphal from Mao gate where they have been stranded owing to indefinite economic blockade imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM).

The trucks proceeded amidst the warning of the students body not to blame them if any untoward incident happened on them for defying the economic blockade and continue transporting goods items on the highways.

The trucks were stranded at Khuzuma in Nagaland bordering with Manipur since the commencement of the blockade on July16 last.

The blockade had entered eight days today but no sign of ending as government is yet to hold talks with the striking students body.

The good carrying tucks have proceeded with the security escort provided by the personnel of the 2nd Manipur Rifles under the supervision of its assistant commandant, Chitaranjan this afternoon at around 3 pm, a report received from Mao gate said.

The truck are proceeding without any untoward incident on the way and are likely to reach Imphal late tonight, police said.

Meanwhile, ATSUM, while stating that the economic blockade has been imposed in pursuit of the demand which is mean not only for the tribal but for all people of the state, expressed hope that everyone continue will continue to bear the hardship causing by the blockade.

A statement issued by signed by the information secretary G Gaisingam of ATSUM dispatched today warned the businessmen around the Thangal bazaar in Imphal of hiking the prices of the commodities in their stoke taking advantage of non-arrival of the said items from outside the state owing to the blockade.

The statement expressed that they knew when the items are vegetables and other perishable items but not on products that has reached Imphal way back before our agitation and warned that they will take up such "unscrupulous persons" as they would able to identify all trucks and vehicles that passed through the two national highways along with their drivers and items they carried very easily.

ATSUM always wanted to avoid direct confrontation and physical violence.

This should not be taken as weakness on the part of the body, the statement went on to state appealing to owners and drivers of the trucks plying on highways to be more cooperative and understand.

"We should not be blamed or held responsible if any untoward incident occurred during the blockade," it added.

The statement further stating that ATSUM has raised objection on the recruitment of some posts in the Manipur Legislative Assembly secretariat because, no reservation or relaxation for the SC/STs or roster system were not followed.

The few write ups in come local newspapers which stated that the recruitment is being personally pursued by none other than the Speaker himself as he has personal stake in one particular post, the statement alleged.

Even though, the body is not related with the matter, they would like to request the Speaker to clarify his position or justify the matter.

In the ongoing recruitment at the Manipur State Road Development Agency (MSRRDA) under Rd and PR department, the tribal student body also alleged of not following the guidelines issued by the Union government or state reservation policy.

Comment