Imphal, July 07: Taking grim note of unidentified persons burning down 11 Government schools in three hill districts recently, president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (I) Gaikhangam opined that the SPF Government need no longer remain silent.

Rather than watch the situation meekly as is evident at the moment, existence of a Govt should be proved through appropriate action to allay perception that guilty persons could still remain at large owing to inaction of the Government.

Talking to The Sangai Express today, Gaikhangam desiring stern action against the miscreants explained that under relevant laws governing damage caused to public property, the guilty could be booked and slapped penalty.

Reiterating call for prompt action and strongly condemning the act of arson, the State Congress chief construed destruction of educational institutions as handiwork of anti-social elements whose action would only impede progress of education for the society.

Asserting that actions of such elements is an affront to the student community with consequences in all probability threatening academic aspiration of students, Gaikhangam reminded that any act of causing damage to public property also tantamount to destroying an individuals own wealth.

Referring to effort/movement for affiliation of hill district schools to a board of another State despite existence of manipur�s own competent Board, he opined that the pursuit not only smacks of vision but would also not materialise.

Calling upon those actively involved in imposing their will in the pursuit of the affiliation agenda, Gaikhangam posed whether persons responsible for destroying the schools would be willing to shoulder responsibility for denying education to the affected students.

Appealing to the miscreants to refrain from furthering non-practicable and infeasible pursuits, he fervently urged for ensuring conducive atmosphere to students aspiring for excel in their chosen field.