Govt's declaration to shut down educational institutions draws widespread flak
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 12 2014 :
Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee (MPTCC) spokesperson, P Premananda, in a press conference, has expressed strong condemnation on the State Government's inability to maintain law and order in the State and its subsequent decision to shut down educational institutions indefinitely.
Speaking to mediapersons, P Premananda alleged that the State Government's action, shutting down of educational institutions, arresting protestors as a means to repress the agitation, can only mean that the State Government does not wish to solve the ILP issue altogether.
At present, MPTCC is represented by MLA I Ibohalbi in the all party committee constituted to look into the issue of ILPS.
The committee would be holding a meeting on September 15 to discuss the present ILP issue.
As such, MPTCC said that the party would take a decision on whether or not to work with the committee further, based on the outcome of the meeting.
Calling the Government's reaction on the issue 'Non-democratic,' Premananda added that it would be wiser to opt out of the committee in case the committee chooses to overlook Government's errors.
He further appealed State Government to reopen schools and bring the situation back to normal.
Questioning the State Government's assurance to remove security personnel from Ukhrul when agitations subside, Premananda added that the State has traded number of lives to safeguard its territorial integrity.
Though BJP State Unit president Th Chaoba stated that no such petition was sent to the centre requesting the removal of CrPC 144, BJP North-East In-Charge, Tapir Gao declared that CrPC 144 was lifted after the State petitioned the Union Home Minister on the issue.
Premananda questioned the course of action Th Chaoba would take against Tapir to justify his statement.
On the other hand, Janata dal (Secular), Manipur, in a press release issued by its working president, has also condemned the State Government's decision to shut down educational institutions.
The party demanded unconditional release of arrested ILP activists at the earliest.
Manipur Assembly had twice submitted its decision, to implement ILP in the State, to the Manmohan Singh government without receiving any positive response as such.
Now that the NDA Government is in power, the issue of ILP ought to be solved by the State, it added.
It further decried the UNC imposed bandh in all Naga inhabited areas.
Meanwhile, school and college student organisations have also condemned the shutting down of educational institutions.
Students of DM College staged a sit-in-protest at DM College of Arts Gate today holding placards demanding reopening of educational institutions at the earliest, while at the same time, Ibotonsana Girls Students' Union and Liberal College Student's Union also demanded immediate reopening of educational institutions and unconditional release of JCILPS student protesters, who were arrested from JCILPS office on September 8 by Imphal West Addl SP Victoria, within 24 hours failing which the union would resort to rigorous agitations against the Government, a press statement conveyed.
Law College Students' Union while terming the declaration of indefinite holiday unreasonable and untimely, has also urged Government to reopen educational institutions within two days failing which the Union said they would launch agitations in support of the ILP stir.
All Manipur Student's Guardian Organisation secretary S Sumati, in a press meet held at its office premises today, alleged that the Government is planning to rob the future off the young generations by shutting down educational institutions indefinitely.
Demanding appropriate reasons for the declaration, Sumati urged the State Govt to reopen educational institutions from tomorrow.
She further requested the concerned authorities to bring an amicable solution to the ILPS issue.
The organisation further demanded release of the arrested JCILPS activists.
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