IMPHAL, Oct 20 - The 24-hour total shutdown called by All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) crippled normal life in the hill districts of the State on Thursday. The shutdown which began on October 19 midnight was called in support of its demand that Manipur University adopt the CEI Act as amended in 2012 in admission of students.
Most of the market places in the hill towns remained closed while the movement of inter-State and inter-district passenger services were severely affected in view of the shutdown, reports said. Moreh, the busy border town of Manipur also wore a deserted look since dawn to dusk on Thursday.
However, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked the Manipur University authority to follow the reservation norms laid down by the Central Education Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 for admission in the university. UGC Secretary Prof (Dr) Jaspal S Sandhu had visited Manipur University in this regard.
In another development, taking strong exception to the delay in the admission process at Manipur University and the incomprehensible stand of the UGC team deputed to the State, the JAC Against the Implementation of State Reservation Policy in admission to Manipur University has said that the stand given by the UGC delegate just to save their own skin is unacceptable. The JAC has announced a total shut down of the varsity besides staging a hunger strike in front of the university gate.
