Imphal, October 16: Taking strong exception to the arrest of 11 Imphal College students for agitating at the home of Education Minister on October 13, DESAM alleged that such arrest of students was a clear act of lawlessness in the State.

A statement issued by DESAM while taking serious note of the various modes of agitation being undertaken by the college student, condemned the indifferent attitude of the State Govt towards the plight of the students.

Alleging that present turmoil was created by Education Minister because of his inept handling of the part timers' issue, the student body demanded resignation of the Education Minister.

Asserting that termination of part time lecturers have severely affected academic atmosphere in the State thereby derailing its campaign to bring quality education in the State, DESAM appealed to the Govt to ensure regular classes to the students.

Had the State Government appointed the required number of teachers in the Govt colleges before the part timers were terminated from service, there would have been no disruption of classes nor the massive protest movements from the students as are seen now, rued DESAM.

Saying that DESAM is all prepared to amend the wayward nature of the State Govt, it urged to restore peaceful academic atmosphere and to ensure regular classes to the students imme diately.

The statement maintained that the State Govt's move to recruit 186 regular lecturers through MPSC would not be able to fill up the required number of teachers in the Govt Colleges as the total number of teachers required in the colleges is about 900.Reiterating its demand to release the students being detained by the State in connection with the part time lecturers' issue, DESAM asked the State Government to frame a long term policy to save education in the State.

AMGOCTA concerned over part-timer's issue: Conveying serious concern over the termination of 466 part time lecturers even as the Govt colleges have been facing acute shortage of teachers, the All Manipur Govt College Teachers' Association (AMGOCTA) noted that the termination of part time lecturers has thrown the students into a deep sea of trouble.

A statement issued by AMGOCTA observed that the termination order has seriously jeopardised education and career of a large number of students.

Taking into account of the ongoing various modes of agitation being undertaken by college students demanding their right to proper education, the college teachers' body has urged the State Govt to bring an agreement with the part time lecturers at the earliest so as to save careers of the students and their future.

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