Theology students decry discrimination, stage protest rally
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 23 2012: Students of Chin Chin Asian Mission Society (CCAMS) under the aegis of Federation of All Tribal Youth Club, Manipur (FATYCM) today carried out a silent protest at Kanglatongbi in Senapati district demanding decentralization of power and funds to streamline the existing practice of work allocation and administration in the Directorate of Tribal Affairs and Hills, Government of Manipur at the earliest.

Speaking to media person on the sideline of the rally, Jeremiah Kom, a student of Master of Divinity at CCAMS pointed out that since 2007, the Directorate has not provided post metric scholarship to the theology students in the state and its is a clear sign of discriminating a particular section of the student community.

Other neighbouring States Governments like Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have been treating all students equally.

But in Manipur, there is discrimination against students of theologies, Jeremiah alleged, adding that non-payment of post metric scholarship is nothing but harassment of poor students.

Another student of the institution, Worchipun Marzah said, "We are not demanding to provide scholarship from the State Government's coffer but from the amount sanctioned to the Directorate for the said purpose" .

Meanwhile, in a statement, FATYCM has claimed that there are cases of re-employed/utilizing retired staff of the Directorate of Tribal Affairs and Hills to serve their own interest.

This practice is against the normal policy of the government and public interest.

Demanding to allot the posts of DDO and PMS to tribal officers, FATYCM urged for payment of post metric scholarship without any delay.

FATYCM also warned of launching various intense agitations including imposition of blockade along the National Highways if the State Government fails to meet the demand.

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