With no dearth of happening events, it is not without reasons that Manipur is considered truly a Reporters' Paradise.
These are not just some insignificant events, but real big events that could rock the entire nation, though the national media seldom take note of them or rather wait till the simmering discontentment explodes is altogether another thing.
Right from calling bandh and blockade along the two National Highways and State-wide bandh over the failure of the State Government to redress grievances of the people on various issues, the agitation over the demand for complete repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, which was mostly confined to Manipur and the North Eastern region in the past has now even shaken up the power corridors of New Delhi.
Although there has been no sign of any favourable measures being taken up toward resolving these issues, the latest move of terminating the services of 466 part time lecturers working in 26 different Government colleges seem to invite yet another movement which has the potential of engulfing the entire State into restlessness once again, apart from raising a big question mark on the future of Higher Education in Manipur.
It is really unfortunate that the issue of Government colleges have come about even as the issue of Aided Colleges has not been resolved satisfactorily.
There might be some 'valid' reasons for terminating the services of 466 part time lectures working in 26 Government College.
But putting an abrupt end to their careers after utilising their services for years with the stroke of a pen citing 'rules' with least consideration of the predicament of these worn-out part-timers seem to be rather harsh, and cannot be said to be a wise decision.
The protest agitation of the students against the termination of services of the part timers is understandable given the fact that the Government is nowhere in position to fill up the vacant posts of all the 466 teachers in 26 different colleges just as quickly.
From the initial effigies burning, the protest agitation has now turned violent with burning down of their own desks and benches by the students, and nothing could be said where it would lead to.
One way or the other, the resultant impact would be definitely felt by both the Government and the student community.
It would give more headache to the Government and put the career of many students at stake.
With the penchant of the Government to look the other way instead tackling a situation, some people have even started wondering whether a ruckus has been created to divert the minds of the people from the pressing demand for repealing Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Whatever may be the reasons, it is time for the Government to put its act together and work out some practical solutions keeping in mind the age old wisdom of 'stitch in time saves nine'.
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