Yairipok rallies to protest assault of teacher
Source: The Sangai Express

Yairipok, April 03: A large number of students, teaching and non-teaching faculty of Sacred Heart School, Yairipok staged a silent rally today to protest the brutal assault of Brother BS Joseph (28) on March 30 at about 9.30 pm by unidentified miscreants.

Brother Joseph, who teaches at Sacred Heart School, Yairipok Laimanai and is also the master-in-charge of the boys' hostel of the institute was severely assaulted by about 4/5 unidentified miscreants at the school campus on March 30 at about 9.30 pm.

Apart from the students and teaching and non-teaching faculty of the school, members of the Manipur Meitei Christian Union took part in the rally.

Rally denounces the assault of a teacher at Yairipok

The rally started from the school campus at 10 in the morning and then proceeded towards Top Chingtha, Ngabong Keithel and snaked through Laimanai and Yairipok Keithel and proceeded towards Yairipok police station.

Later the rallyists staged a sit-in-protest in front of the school till 2 pm.

During the rally, the participants carried festoons and placards emblazoned with the words, "School is our second home," "We want peace," "Do not disturb educational institutions" "School is temple" "We oppose assaulting teachers," etc.

The teachers have also decided to suspend duty until and unless those responsible for the brutal assault come out in the open and state their case.

If no clarification is issued, then other intense agitation will be launched in collaboration with civil society organisations, they warned.

Earlier in the day before the rally was taken out the Principal of the school and Parish Priest, Father Sony said, "I have come to this place to serve the people sacrificing \my personal life.

I will continue to work for the people especially the students even if it means laying down my life.

We are all brothers and even if there are any grievances amongst us, that can always be resolved through discussion." Father Sony also appealed to all concerned not to repeat such acts in the future.

A number of teachers who spoke to the gathering said that the brutal assault of Brother Joseph is akin to assaulting the profession of teaching.

The assault was not only cowardly but also exposed the juvenile mindset of the attackers, they said.