Imphal, February 15: The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur has decided to postpone the proposed 5 day economic blockade, which was to come into effect from midnight of February 16.In a statement, ATSUM said that the blockade has been postponed following a meeting between Kuki Students' Organisation and All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, wherein ANSAM requested the deferment of the blockade due to its 9th general conference scheduled to start from February 28.Announcing the deferment of the blockade, ATSUM however laid down a five point charter of demands before the State Government.

Demanding adequate infrastructure in all the schools of the hill districts, ATSUM said that without proper infrastructure, the much hyped rationalisation of teachers policy will not work and termed it as a flawed policy as such ATSUM cannot be a party to such flawed policy, said the statement.

Giving details, the student body said that though the absence of full fledged Headmasters in many Jr High Schools and High Schools in the hill districts has been repeatedly pointed out, the Government has slept over the matter leaving the hill people to their own fate.

For the last one year the Govt has been utilising the services of about 410 teachers for the Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan, but no replacements have been posted, which has defeated the very purpose of the scheme, said the statement further.

On the imbroglio surrounding the plot of land at Kabo Leikai, ATSUM said that the land belongs to Isaac Thangjom and the KSO.

If it is true that a Minister is involved in the matter, then the Chief Minister should step in and resolve the issue immediately before it is too late, said the student body.

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