The All Tribal Students Union Manipur has deferred its proposed 48-hour interstate bandh and ban on construction of national projects in the state which was scheduled to begin from November 5.
The decision was taken after the state government on November 4 assured ATSUM and its constituent units that ATSUM demand for timely conduct of Autonomous District Council election without further extension of the term of all six members of ADCs will be considered immediately in the next cabinet meeting after the ensuing by-elections.
ATSUM general secretary Andria Sinruwng stated in a release that the deferred agitation is liable to resume in the event of the state government’s failure to materialise the agreed terms and on the outcome of a joint meeting of ATSUM and its federating units to be held on November 12.
The release stated that the chief minister also expressed his sincere desire and intention for instituting effective gras root governance in the hill areas of Manipur.
A meeting was held with ATSUM and their federating units at chief ministers secretariat on Wednesday in the presence of chief minister, his cabinet colleagues and representatives of the department of Tribal Affairs and Hills to discuss the demands of ATSUM regarding ADC elections, the release added.
The union had earlier pointed out that the terms of office of all the incumbent members of the six ADCs is due to expire on November 30.
