Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 09:
Intensifying up its class boycott stir, AMSU, DESAM and MSF have today urged all educational establishments from Class XI till the University level to boycott classes from September 10 till 16.In a statement issued to the press today, the three student bodies warned that if any classes are held on the sly then the institution should be held responsible for any untoward incident.
Reacting to the appeal of the Chief Minister to stop the class boycott stir, the student bodies said that demand of the people is nothing short of the complete revocation of the AFSPA and added that it would have been much better for the CM to do something to fulfill the demands of the people instead of issuing appeals through the media and citing examples that education was not affected even during the two World Wars.
If the Govt is so concerned about the welfare of the students, then why were the students from Moirang beaten up so mercilessly by the police, asked the student bodies.
Meanwhile even as several educational institutions extended solidarity to the ongoing class boycott agitation to press for the complete removal of AFSPA from the entire State, All Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturers' Welfare Association has fervently appealed to the State Govt to resolve the impasse at the earliest.
In solidarity with the agitation launched by the student community to demand complete removal of the Act classes of Vocational Guide School, Sagolband Moirang HANUBA has been suspended till Sept 11 with immediate effect, said a press release.
Classes of Nongren High School, Nongpok Kakching, Glory English School, Ningthemkol will also remain suspended till September 11, informed the students' union even as the students' union of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Khumbong announced class suspension with effect from Sept 10 in support of the people's cause.
Students' union of Nambol Higher Secondary School and Lamlai Higher Secondary School also suspended classes for an indefinite period with immediate effect while Lamsang branch of AMSU ordered closure of educational institutions within its jurisdiction till the demand for removal of AFSPA is conceded.
Nambol branch of Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur has also pledged to support the class boycott agitation.
In connection with the ongoing agitation, several numbers of students in three passenger buses attempted to surrender text books at the Nongada residence of Minister Ph Parijat at around 11.30 am today.
However, police personnel swung into action and prevent the student agitators from reaching their destination.
Meanwhile, expressing grave concern at the prolong suspension of classes that would have far reaching consequences on the future of the students the lecturers' body appeals to the State authorities to resume dialogue with agitators so that normal academic atmosphere could be restored.
As the students belonging to families of lower income group inevitably stands to suffer the most it is essential that process should be set in motion to resolve the crisis to save the future pillar of the society observed the Association.
It also desired that political dialogue be initiated with all underground organizations to pave the way for peaceful settlement of the insurgency problem that could ultimately render continuation of the repressive AFSPA a futile exercise.
Sentiment of the people should be taken into account to mollify the agitated people who have been demanding complete withdrawal of the Act that could not serve any positive purpose ever since its promulgation in Manipur, contended the Association.
Governing Body, Thambal Marik College, Oinam deploring inability of both the Centre and State Governments to solve the current impasse mooted that State legislators take the matter more seriously and apprise Central leaders to chalk out positive steps to restore normalcy.