Saikul students rally for end to impasse, call for Sadar Hills district
Academic pursuit of students derailed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2011: Highlighting the adverse impacts caused by the on-going economic blockade on the National Highways which is already over 60 days on the academic career of students, students took out a protest rally at Saikul urging the Government to find a solution to the genuine demand for creation of Sadar Hills district.

The rally organised by the Sadar Hills District Private Schools Association, Saikul Block was participated by students from Model English Hr Sec School, Thangtong Hr Sec School, Christian English High School, Good Samaritan Pvt School, VM Nazareth English School, LL Hengjong English High School, Children Training Academy, Diamond Shower Academy and Candid English Academy.

The rally started from Thangtong Higher Sec School, Saikul and marched till the Saikul SDC office where the students submitted a memorandum to the SDC for further conveyance to the Chief Minister.

The students carried placards which read as "68 days of economic blockade, where is Government ?" "Spare our future, we demand justice on Sadar Hills", "Patience has limits", "Sadar Hills is mini Manipur", "Mr CM, hungry man is angry man", "Stop communalising Sadar Hills", "Govt must prove its sincerity and commitment" etc.

Students stage a pro-Sadar Hills rally at Saikul

After handing over the memorandum to the SDC, KSO Saikul Block president Lun Mate conveyed main points of the memorandum to media persons.

Lun Mate said that the 68 days old economic blockade has severely affected academic atmosphere of students besides causing untold misery to the common people.

Scarcity of essential commodities including rice and life saving drugs resulting from the blockade has adversely impacted on the academic activities of students.

Under the prevailing situation, it would be impossible for students to carry out their academic activities smoothly, said the student leader.

Quoting the Government's statement that the Sadar Hills district demand was genuine and legitimate, Lun Mate urged the Government to find a solution to the genuine demand without any further delay so that students can carry on their academic activities without any physical or mental disturbance.

The most worrying development in the Sadar Hills issue has been the rise of ethnic agendas in different corners of the State, he noted while reminding that Manipur witnessed a very tumultuous period during the early 1990's because of ethnic conflict.

Saying that the demand for creation of a new district is for administrative convenience, the KSO leader lamented some unscrupulous elements have been trying to ethnicise the issue.

On account of the State Government's inordinate delay in settling the Sadar Hills issue, a serious question has come up if the Government has been deliberately scheming to sharpen diverse communal agendas, he alleged.

A sit-in-protest was also held at Molkon bazar.

Students from three schools took part in the protest which was organised by the Molkon Area Schools Association.