COTA refuses to budge an inch
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09, 2011: Even as Council of Teachers' Association (COTA), which has launched a fast unto death agitation since January 19 demanding implementation of 6th Revised Central Pay in toto, has strongly condemned the forced release of a lady teacher by the jail authority, the said lady teacher has joined the fast within a day of her forced release.

Headmistress of Sekmai Khunou Primary School A Meipakpi (59) of Sekmai Bazar had been arrested and lodged in the jail by the police for her participation in the fast sometime earlier.

But she was forcefully released by the jail authority in the evening of February 7. Talking to mediapersons in this connection at Johnstone Higher Secondary School where the agitating teachers are launching their fast unto death stir today, Meipakpi informed that at around 5.30 pm of February 7, the jail authority handed over a release order in her name and asked for her signature.

Insisting that she could not accept her release while the other arrested teachers are still languishing in the jail, she refused to sign the release order.

But the jail authority forcefully caught hold of her hand and took the imprint of the thumb.

After that she was forcefully released from the jail, Maipakpi said.

Meipakpi further informed that after her forced release from the jail in the evening of February 7, she went home and spend the night.

But the following morning, she rejoined the fast.

Co-convenor of COTA Joykumar, who was also present at the occasion, observed that instead of considering the rightful demands of the agitating teachers, arresting and putting them behind bar would never bring any solution.

The Association would continue with its stir relentlessly and the Govt should be held responsibility for any eventuality, he added.

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