Drawing the attention of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Ukhrul assembly constituency MLA Ram Muivah on Wednesday called for releasing of the student body leaders who are under police custody, to bring an amicable solution between the government and ATSUM.
Speaking at the zero hour in the ongoing session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the MLA reminded the House that Manipur Police picked up five ATSUM executive members ahead of the proposed total bandh in hill districts. He also said former ATSUM leader Ngachonmi Chamroi was also picked up by the police.
Chamroi was recently discharged from hospital and is still in bad health. Being in police lock up for a long time could worsen his health, the MLA said. Besides, many commuters are suffering along the National Highway due to the impact of the bandh, he said.
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Ram Muivah also said that taking note of ATSUM demands regarding the ADC, Bill, 2021, state Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip introduced “The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2022” and “Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2022” in the House on Tuesday. With the introduction of the two bills, about 50 per cent of the demands of ATSUM have been fulfilled by the present government, he added.
Muivah suggested the House for a meeting of the state government and ATSUM leaders in order to bring an amicable solution so that the ongoing bandh along the National Highway could be lifted. He further appealed to the state government to release the executive members of ATSUM who are in police custody which could bring peace and harmony to the state.
Muivah also informed the House that the 20 MLAs of hill districts are in support of the present government irrespective of party’s affiliation.
The ADC Bill, 2021 demanded by the ATSUM to be tabled in the Assembly seeks greater autonomy for the Hill Areas Committee as well as the Autonomous District Councils in amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971, the MLA stated.
Meanwhile, in the same zero-hour, Opposition MLA Th Lokeshwar suggested the House to take necessary measures so that shortage of ART tablets could be solved.
"'People Living with HIV’ are also a part of the society and the government needs to take necessary measures for the welfare of PLHIV," he said.
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