MSF decries police crackdown on members
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 19 2022:
Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) has strongly condemned alleged police atrocities against its members and arresting them based on false reports.
Demanding unconditional release of the arrested members, the Federation has also cautioned of launching intense forms of agitation, in case the government authorities ignore its demand, while asserting that principal and RO of Kakching Khunou College should be held responsible for any unwanted consequences in this regard.
Addressing a press meet at its Kwakeithel Thounaojam Leikai office here on Wednesday, MSF president Maibam Julesh said that the Directorate of Education (U) set 3 pm of September 28 as the last date for filing of nominations for college students' union elections.
However, RO of Kakching Khunou College Thingnam Ibomcha was found entertaining submission of nomination papers of some candidates even after the deadline lapsed.
Though the attempt was foiled by the students, the RO issued a notice the next day informing all the intending candidates, who had hied nominations, to withdraw their nominations, to which MSF raised, objection as such arbitrary decision tantamount to corruption by the RO.
Surprisingly, nomination papers of the candidates, who could not file their nominations before the deadline, were produced during the scrutiny done on October 6.Students rose against it and scrutiny process was stalled.
The college authority submitted a request to the directorate to resolve the issue and in response, the directorate instructed the college authority to conduct the election free and fair while observing all the guidelines.
However, the principal and returning officer mounted pressure on the candidates, who adhered to the guidelines.
The college authority issued another notice on October 13 to conduct the election forcefully upon which MSF requested the RO to uphold the guidelines.
As the RO and the principal did not accept their request, MSF members tried to meet the principal and the RO on Wednesday morning which led to exchange of heated words.
The duo then lodged false report to the police resulting in arrest of MSF members, Julesh elaborated and demanded the government to take up appropriate action against the principal and RO.
He also demanded the government to release the arrested MSF members and take up necessary measures to prevent any unwanted incidents in the college.