Imphal, October 21: The act of arson committed by unknown persons in burning down administrative blocks of two premier colleges of Manipur, namely DM College of Science and Imphal College last night has been strongly condemned by teachers and students of the colleges concerned as well as by the Chief Minister.

To protest the burning down of the administrative block of DM College of Science, the principal, teachers and students of the college jointly took out a protest rally around the college campus today.

The rallyists shouted slogans condemning the act of arson and demanding arrest of the culprits.

The lecturers of the college have also resolved to prevail upon the Government to institute an inquiry to establish facts and circumstances leading to torching of the administrative block of the college.

The resolution was taken in an emergency meeting chaired by principal of the College Th Bedamani this afternoon.

While condemning the act of arson, the meeting further resolved to urge the Government deploy adequate security forces in the college campus to thwart any attempt to target the college building in future.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Th Bedamani said burning down of the administrative block of the college was an irreparable loss not only for the college, but also to entire Manipur.

Established in 1946, DM College is not just one of the oldest colleges of Manipur, but it is also a store house of many important historical documents and records.

But all these have been lost in the fire, she lamented.

One of the senior teacher of the college rued over the destruction caused to priceless documents and records collected over the past 60 years of existence of the college and appealed to all to ensure such unfortunate incident do not recur.

Some of the college students while condemning the incident, said the Government should be held responsible for the loss as it had not listened to plea of the students for restoration of normal classes despite having warned of taking recourse to violent agitation.

When asked whether the incident has anything to do with the issue of the axed part-time lecturers, they said even if nothing could be said with certainty, it would be safely assumed burning of the college administrative block has come bout close on the heel of the termination of the service of part time lecturers.

On the other hand, an emergency meeting of the teaching and non-teaching staff of Imphal College was also held with its principal Dr Th Thoiba Singh in the chair today and deeply regretted the act of burning down the entire administrative block of the college and reducing the important records and documents into ashes.

While appealing to the unknown arsonists to refrain from committing such dastardly act in future, the meeting also praised the Fire Service Dept and local residents for their timely intervention and assistant in saving the college library and other buildings located in close proximity to the administrative block.

Besides the loss of important documents and record, computer sets, generator, furniture and other costly items have also been reportedly damage beyond redemption in the devastating fire.

The estimated amount of the loss suffered is said to be around Rs 30,93,360.The arson incident followed barely a fortnight after the Government terminated the service of 466 par time lecturers serving in 26 Government Colleges and the recent move of the Government to retain 112 par time teachers who fulfil UGC norms from amongst the sacked part timers besides requisitioning for appointment of 186 regular posts of college lecturers through a open examination to be conducted by MPSC.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh while condemning settling aflame of the two premier colleges have appealed to all concerned not to resort to any violent activities during their course of their stir.

Addressing a block level meeting of the Congress party here today, Ibobi said the act of burning down the educational institutions is akin to driving an axe on one�s own foot.

Explaining that the Government has retained 112 lecturers who fulfil the norms laid down by UGC from amongst the terminated college part time lecturers as guest lecturers, the Chief Minister said their services would be utilised till regular post of 188 college lecturers are filled by for which advertisement had been made by MPSC.

Those who are not eligible can also apply for higher secondary lecturers for which the Government conduct the appointment test soon, he added.

Condemning burning down of the administrative blocks of the two premier colleges, All Manipur College Teachers� Assn and All Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturers� Welfare Assn have also appealed to all concerned to ensure such destruction incident do not recur.

In separate statements, the two Assns also blamed the Govt for the present impasse over terminating the service of the part time lecturers working in Govt colleges which has indirectly abated the act of arson.

Comment