IMPHAL, June 24: Reacting strongly against the counter blockade imposed against its indefinite economic blockade along the national highways, the All Tribal Students Union Manipur Muan Tombing group has questioned the rationality/ validity of the arguments provided by the Meetei Youth Front South East Asia and the International Meetei Forum for counter blockade call.
Speaking to media persons today, ATSUM president Maun Tombing questioned as to why the groups were referring to indigenous tribes of the State as foreigners in their own land.
He was referring to statements made by the organisations to media persons.
Tombing said instead of supporting and endorsing the demands of ATSUM, the two bodies have called a counter blockade.
The `Chingmi Tammi Amatani`™ is today reduced to a façade, he asserted.
He further claimed that the statements of the two organisations reported by local newspapers alleging ATSUM of supporting foreigners are completely illogical and unfounded.
Tombing said, ATSUM`™s charter of demands includes demands which are inalienable rights of tribes enshrined in the Constitution of India and for which the State government has been holding talks with the student body for decades now.
He further advice the MYF and IMF to abstain from dragging tribal issues into communal tones and to respect the sentiments of the other.
He continued that the student body will only intensify its agitations following consultation with ATSUM units.
Zeliangrong Students Union, Assam Nagaland Manipur president John Pamei said the economic blockade is continuing successfully in the hill districts.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/atsum-mt-reacts-against-counter-blockade-call/