Imphal, March 29: With the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur and the State Government failing to come to a point of understanding during a two hour meeting today, there is every likelihood of the student body intensifying the economic blockade imposed on the two National Highways since March 25 midnight.

The meeting between representatives of the student body and the Government started from 2.30 pm today at the Chief Minister's Secretariat but no meeting point could be arrived.

ATSUM leaders said that it is not yet clear whether they will hold further talks with the Government or not in the future.

Apart from the Chief Minister, Works Minister Th Debendra, TD Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Power Minister Gaikhangam, Commerce and Industries Minister N Mangi, PHED Minister K Govindas, Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh, Principal Secretary (Hills and TD) PC Lawmkunga and Commissioner Education (S) RK Angousana were present at the meeting.

The ATSUM was represented by its president John Pulamte, general secretary Samson Haokip, assistant general secretary Thomas Taishya and five members from the Churachandpur District Students' Union.

During the meeting, the Government presented a proposal as a MoU listing 6 points while ATSUM produced a paper with five points.

The main points contained in the paper presented by the Government included, "The Department of Education (S), shall immediately engage the required number of Maths, Science, Arts graduate and under graduate teachers in the hills on contract basis with special preference to local candidates;" "The Department of Education (S) shall establish two separate Directorates namely Directorate of Education (S) (Valley) and Directorate of Education (S) (Hills);" "The post of Deputy Director (TD) will be redesignated as DO (TD) in the hill districts;" "The Government shall formulate the Reservation Rules within three months;" "A Committee comprising of the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Hills and TD), Principal Secretary (Planning), Commissioner (Finance) and Commissioner (Edn/S) shall be set up to examine the matter of conversion of grant-in-aid schools into Government schools in accordance with Government policy." The Government also proposed that ATSUM calls off its economic blockade with immediate effect.

Though both sides agreed to major portions of the proposals furnished by the Government, there were some differences over the creation of the Directorate of Education (Hills).

Speaking to newsmen after coming out from the meeting at the gate of the Chief Minister's bungalow, ATSUM leaders said that it is still not clear whether they would go in for further rounds of talk with the Government or not.

They however made their displeasure over the conduct of the Government very clear.

For today, there is no point in talking over matter the further, they maintained.

The student leaders also warned that the economic blockade may be intensified in the days to come.

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