Alleging that the CM's remark is a ploy to mislead the people of the state and further deprive the tribal people of constitutional rights, the ATSUM stated that there is nothing as such in the contents of the bill that aims to disintegrate the state.
An ATSUM leader, on the condition of anonymity, said that the apex tribal students’ body is ready to lift the ongoing economic blockade and call off the ongoing agitations once the arrested ATSUM leaders and members, who were sent to judicial custody, are freed.
Educational institutions and business establishments remained closed in the hill districts of the state following the emergency shutdown called by ATSUM. Other than emergency services, no vehicular movements were seen on the roads.
The ADC Bill, 2021 demanded by the ATSUM to be tabled in the Assembly sought greater autonomy for the Hill Areas Committee as well as the Autonomous District Councils in amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971.