Newmai News Network Imphal | October 11 Aggrieved at quota reduction, tribal students of Manipur University (MU) held a sit-in protest here continuing their stir demanding withdrawal of the resolution adopted by the varsity’s Academic Council to follow the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006. Under the aforesaid Act, ST students are bound to enjoy only 7.5 percent seats in taking admission in the varsity. The agitating tribal student bodies, including Manipur University Tribal Student’s Union (MUTSU), are demanding the implementation of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2012 under which ST students get 31 percent reservation. Over 900 tribal students led by MUTSU are protesting over the issue piqued at the decision of the MU Academic Council’s recent meeting to follow the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 amidst stiff opposition. Tuesday’s protest demonstration was staged in front of Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel here. Placards like “Follow Parliament Act” and “To go against tribal rights is a crime” were held by the student protesters. On the sidelines of the protest, Seth Shatsang, President of All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), made it clear that the "disturbed" tribal students were not going against the Meitei students. “We’re protesting against the officials of MU and Manipur government. We also condemn the government’s failure to intercede with the issue. The issue could perpetrate across communal lines,” Shatsang said. MUTSU spokesperson Kakai Singsit sought action against authorities of Manipur University for defying the UGC norms in implementing reservation in the varsity. He said no tribal students will return to the institute until the Academic Council’s resolution is revoked. Tribal students packed all their belongings and left hostel at Manipur University over the current reservation row yesterday. All Tribal Students’ Union (ATSUM) on October 9 threatened to launch an indefinite total shutdown in all the hill districts if the MU Academic Council fails to withdraw the resolution. Earlier, a joint meeting of ATSUM, ANSAM, MUTSU, KSO (Kuki Students’ Organisation) and all district level tribal student bodies was held in the backdrop of the reservation issue growing worse in the state’s highest educational institute, which was converted into a Central University from 2005. ATSUM maintained that the council had defied the UGC’s instruction. A Manipur High Court order issued last September instructed the MU to follow the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2012.