Imphal, May 31 2009: The 120-hours state-wide general strike and emergency called by the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) to press its demand for releasing the students arrested by police within May 31 has been postponed till June 2 in view of the present problems being faced by the student community and people of the state.

Secretary of Publicity and Propaganda, DESAM head office, KC Ibomcha stated in a press release today that the decision to postpone the agitations of 120-hours general strike and emergency was taken after thorough discussions and considering public interest at a meeting of the execuetive committee of DESAM held today.

If the government does not release the arrested students on or before June 2, intensive form of agitations will be launched, KC Ibomcha announced and appealed to people to extend cooperation to DESAM.

The academic calendar that had been built over a long period of time has been broken now, the press release stated and added, it is unfortunate for the society that the students of the state have not been able to study properly.

Arrest of innocent students who are steering the society is a deliberate attempt of the government to create tumult in the state, the press release stated.

It further said that there is no change in the stand of DESAM.

The students' body does not want to make the people suffer by organising bandh/general strike.

However, the government must give a positive response at once.

If necessary, even though the academic atmosphere is punctured, the people suffer and government properties get destroyed, DESAM will be compelled to go ahead with its series of agitations.

DESAM will not remain as silent observers when the authority further remands the students in custody instead of releasing them, KC Ibomcha said and appealed to the police not to hunt for student leaders.