Newmai News Network Imphal | October 12 The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) is set to take out a peaceful rally in Imphal tomorrow, October 13, to carry forward the pressing demand for revocation of a resolution adopted by Academic Council, Manipur University to reduce the percentage of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. This is will be the first phase of the agitation launched by ATSUM over the current reservation imbroglio emanating from the decision of the Academic Council. The union is backed by All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) in the agitation. Tribal students under the banner of MUTSU (Manipur University Tribal Students’ Union) left their hostels at Manipur University while protesting the quota reduction policy of the varsity’s authorities after mounting a last-gasp protest inside the institute’s campus. Over 900 tribal students led by MUTSU have been launching a protest over the issue. The union is also seeking action against authorities of Manipur University for "defying" the UGC norms with regard to reservation policy of the varsity. It has already pledged that no tribal students will go back to MU until the demand is met. A large number of tribal students from all colleges and higher secondary schools across the state are taking part in the scheduled protest rally which will be taken out from Adimjati hostel complex here. From there, they will march through different roads in the city to reach Raj Bhavan where ATSUM leaders will submit a memorandum to Dr Najma Heptulla, the Governor of Manipur, to apprise her of the aggravating situation in the Manipur University "created" by its Academic Council’s controversial decision, the union informed. As per the decision of the Academic Council, ST students will be entitled to only 7.5 percent of seats in admission in MU. Tribal student bodies demand the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2012 under which reservation is given 31 percent to ST students. Tribal students of the varsity yesterday staged a sit-in protest here continuing their stir demanding withdrawal of the resolution adopted by the MU Academic Council to follow the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006. ATSUM on October 9 threatened to launch an indefinite total shutdown in all the hill districts if the MU Academic Council does not withdraw the resolution. A Manipur High Court order issued last September instructed the MU to follow the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2012.
