All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) on Thursday suspended its ongoing economic blockade “temporarily” in view of the hardship faced by the general public and after receiving assurance from Awangbow Newmai, Minister of Water Resources, Relief & Disaster Management, Government of Manipur, and Convenor of Naga Legislator Forum that its two demands would be fulfilled.

The association had imposed economic blockade in all Naga areas in Manipur from 3rd November 2023 demanding the restoration of internet connectivity in the State within five working days and declaration of the result of 190 (145+45 ST Special Drive) posts of Assistant Professors to be engaged on contract basis for one academic session on or before 2nd November 2023.

ANSAM in a press release said that the decision to lift the blockade was made during an Emergency Meeting of ANSAM, Executive Council, Units of ANSAM and representative of Naga Legislature Forum held on Thursday at Shelley Chara Memorial Hall, ANSAM Secretariat, Tahamzam, Senapati.

The association said that while it acknowledges the partial re-establishment of mobile internet services in some parts of the district headquarters, Manipur government should “take prompt action for opening of mobile internet in all the areas in the state not affected by the violence including the interior villages and provide permanent and uninterrupted services as assured by Minister”. It also demanded that the pending result of Assistant professor (145+45 ST Special Drive) be declared promptly as per the assurance given through the Naga Legislator Forum.

The association also informed that the economic blockade would be resumed anytime “in the event of failing to implement the agreements of Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on 26th Oct, 2023 between govt. of Manipur and ANSAM in the presence of the Chief Minister of Manipur.”

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Further, ANSAM condemned the actions of Mj. Deepak Kataria of 16 Assam Riffle, Hengbung for allegedly intimidating its volunteers at T. Khullen during the agitation. “Such hostile attitude and high handedness of the Assam Riffles towards the student community is highly questionable and uncalled for,” it stated. The association of Naga students in Manipur also “cautioned to the rank and file of Assam Riffle not to repeat such act in the coming days to usher in peace in Naga areas.”