Tribal students protest, leave MU enmasse
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2008: In continuation of its movement on the reservation issue in Manipur university, tribal students of the State today staged protest demonstration at near LMS Law College, Dewlahland.

Under the joint initiative of Manipur University Tribal Students' union (MUTSU) and All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM), the varsity's tribal students have been on an agitation spree in pursuit of their demand for 34.2 percent job and admission reservation of tribal candidates in Manipur University compared to the present quota of 7.5 percent. Tribal students in large number reportedly left the University campus this morning and joined the protest session staged along the National Highway 39 section of Chingmeirong-Dewlahland.

Tribal students of MU under the aegis of MUTSU and ATSUM at a protest sitting

Banners and placards inscribed 'let justice be done', 'book the culprits responsible for bashing up students' and 'remove incompetent VC and Registrar'were put up at the demonstration site.

Even as MU authorities had made known their position of being unable to intervene on the reservation on ground that MU had been upgraded to a Central university, the tribal students as a part of their movement had also observed 36 hours general strike that ended on october 7 with some violent incidents particular in and around the varsity premises.

The police had pulled up ten student activists in connection with the general strike-related incidents but were later freed without any condition.

Talking to the Sangai Express on the sideline of the protest demonstration, MUTSU president Sonthang Haokip affirmed that the movement would be sustained till 'our demands' have been favourably conceded.

"If the State fail to prevail upon the Central leaders to enhance reservation of STs in MU then a separate hill university should be set up," he maintained while conveying that tribal students would not hesitate to sacrifice academic careers in pursuit of the demands for the overall cause of the tribal people.

Sonthang further hinted that an emergency meeting has been jointly convened by influential tribal bodies including Kuki Inpi (Manipur) and United Naga Council as well as ATSUM and MUTSU to discuss further course of action.

He also confided that protest rallies would be organised on October 14 at the hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and churachandpur as well as in Kangpokpi and Moreh sub-divisions.

The MUTSU leader further stated that the State Government has sent feelers suggesting that a joint delegation of Government and tribal students' representatives head to New Delhi to appraise Central leaders on the reservation issue.

It is also informed that many of the MU hostellers, who trooped out from the varsity campus are being extended accommodation and other basic necessities in the capital areas by ATSUM and MUTSU volunteers while several others are staying with their relatives.