Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 11:
In sharp contrast to students and civil society organisations having declared education a free zone, monetary demands by different armed outfits have forced shut-down of educational institutions in the State.
The institutes reeling under the impact of the UG demands include prestigious schools such as three Don Bosco schools and A Jalil High School in Kshetrigao.
According to informed sources, Don Bosco schools located at Chingmeirong, Langjing and Phayeng have received demand notes of Rs 4 lakh each from the proscribed KCP-MC.
As the deadline served to these institutes to cough up the money lapsed school authorities had decided to cancel all classes with effect from yesterday's assembly sessions.
A Jalil High School is informed to have received Rs 7 lakh from a faction of the PULF organisation on August 30 with September 7 as the deadline.
In connection with the shut-down of the Kshetrigao institution, DESAM and AMSU today co-hosted a media briefing wherein the latter's joint secretary Paotinthang Mate expressed strong desire that conducts/activities of UGs should not affect academic atmosphere.
He appealed to the PULF organisation to reconsider its activities in order to facilitate resumption of normal classes.
The AMSU functionary also highlighted the resolution to make education free zone at the July 5 joint meeting of DESAM-AMSU, students and teachers.
Education secretary of DESAM A Thoithoi fervently appealed to all UG groups to refrain from demanding percentage cuts from educational institutions.
While urging authorities of A Jalil High School to reopen the school from tomorrow, Thoithoi also asserted that PULF will be held responsible for any ugly development.