Manipur: Tribal students lift blockade, Internet/mobile SMS services restored

25 July 2018:

The Joint Tribal Student Bodies in Manipur (JTSBM) has relaxed the indefinite blockade on national highways in hill areas of Manipur with immediate effect until the next round of meeting scheduled to be held within two days. The decision was taken after the JTSBM’s meeting with the government of Manipur at the Chief Minister’s Office on Tuesday.

The meeting received a positive response where the JTSBM was assured that its demands would be fulfilled by the state government. Also, Internet and mobile SMS services, which were suspended for five days, were restored on Wednesday.

“Our demands that were discussed included issues pertaining to the ongoing impasse in Manipur University, Moreh terror attack and the incidents of intimidation and assault on peaceful protesters and student leaders during the JTSBM’s bandh on July 6,” said the organisation.

The meeting was attended by representatives from JTSBM, Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization (RNSO), Liangmai Naga Katimai Luangdi (LNKR) and Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) in the presence of Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand, Education Minister Th Radheshyam, Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian, MLA P Sharatchandra and advisor to Chief Minster and Chief Secretary Suresh Babu.