Polytechnic students demand class resumption
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 01 2016: Enraged students of Government Polytechnic dismantled the institute's properties today demanding resumption of normal classes following the recent earthquake that damaged parts of the institute's building.

The protesting students expressed strong resentment over the alleged failure of the college authority and the Education Dept to repair the damaged buildings in order to ensure resumption of normal classes.

Since early morning, a large number of students gathered at the entrance gate of Government Polytechnic to stage protest against the authorities' failure to address their grievances.

Speaking to media persons, one of the agitating students stated that the Education Minister had on Jan 27 during a meeting with the students assured to look into their grievances at the earliest.

Polytechnic students demand class resumption

From January 31, the students have been launching agitation demanding immediate redressal of their demand.

They also boycotted the college principal on the ground that he had failed to take up any positive step to meet their demand, he said.

After staging a sit in protest for some hours at the institute's entrance gate, the enraged students hung the effigies of Education Minister and the institute's Principal.

The angry students stormed the administrative block later and dismantled college properties including benches, desks, window panes and doors of the administrative block building.

Angry students later stormed the library of the institute.

They also burnt some books along with benches at the gate.

Personnel of Lamphel police station led by SDPO RK Saklemba rushed to the spot to prevent the students' attempt to hold a protest rally and storm the Education Minister's office.

A heated argument took place between the police personnel and the student agitators at the entrance gate.

After the students were prevented by police personnel from holding the rally, the angry students threw books towards the police personnel and tried to lock the entrance gate.

Later at around 1.30 pm Principal of the college turned up at the college entrance gate but at that time the students prevented him from going inside the college campus saying he is being boycotted by the students.

Although the Principal apologised to the students, the protesters questioned why he is silent to the problems faced by the students as the head of the institution.

Later, the Principal assured them that he would personally go and meet the Education Minister and hold talks.

He left the place with a promise to return within an hour.

The Principal returned with a letter signed by M Jayentakumar Singh, PPS to the Education Minister mentioning that the Minister will visit the Government Polytechnic tomorrow (Feb 2) at 11.30 am to take stock of the situation.

The students said that the main academic block of the institute was badly damaged by the recent earthquake rendering it useless.

Since then the institute has been facing acute shortage of classrooms and laboratories affecting normal classes.

Classes have been taken under temporary classrooms.

However, the temporary arrangement made by the institute's authorities is not conducive for the smooth functioning of the classes, the students said.

The students have also been demanding the Government to restore the class rooms of the Polytechnic which are being occupied by the NIT and MIT.

They have also demanded adequate supply of water and electricity and proper toilet facilities, the protesters said.

Other demands also included rejuvenation of both the boys and girls hostels and upgradation of the library.