Imphal, December 28 2009: Although it is more than 100 days since students have been forced to stay away from schools following the indefinite class boycott, several strategies adopted by the Government to neutralise the movement are not working.

The continuing impasse between the Government and the agitating bodies have severely affected the academic career of tens of thousands of students.

Worried over the fate of these students, who have been deprived of education for more than 100 days, some people have come forward with suggestions on how to enable students attend class under a secure atmosphere without any sense of fear.

Secretary of the All Manipur Government Aided College Teachers' Association S Samananda observed that the existing situation is more akin to victimisation of children by their own parents who have been separated but not completely divorced.

Putting away students from schools and colleges for more than 100 days is a big loss to the present generation.

Notwithstanding the efforts of the Government to enable students attend class, parent/guardians still have strong reservation against sending their children to schools, Samananda noted.

Despite the big loss being suffered by the present generation, the Government seem least concerned.

This is not expected from a responsible Government, he decried.

It seems both the Government and the agitating bodies have been waiting for necessary initiative from the other side.

Samananda asserted that it would be best for all if both the parties soften their stands to some extent and bring a solution to the prolonged impasse.

The SPF Government's agenda of expanding roads, construction of buildings, markets and other development activities would have no meaning to these students who have deprived of education.

The Government need to show some genuine concern for these hapless students.

Samananda further called upon all to understand that it is better to live for the Nation than to die for it.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Education Minister L Jayantakumar stated that dialogue/negotiation would be more positive despite the strategies adopted by the Government to bring back students to classrooms.

When asked if the Government was planning anything concrete after its various strategies such as the order to reopen classes from December 21, deployment of security personnel in educational institutions and instruction to MLAs met with little success, Jayantakumar said that dialogue/negotiation would be more positive.

Efforts would be made to hold dialogue with the agitating organisations within the next couple of days, the Education Minister said.

Senior citizen and Advocate Khaidem Mani opined that majority of the 'questions' can be taken as answered as the Khwairamband incident has been handed over to the CBI for investigation.

He also expressed desire to enable schools resume normal classes after relaxing the current positions by both the parties.

Observing that the Govt's strategy of resuming normal classes by deploying security personnel in educational institutions has failed, Khaidem Mani opined that it would better if the Government releases all those individuals arrested for protesting the Khwairamband incident without any condition and work towards an amicable solution.

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