Imphal, June 05 2009: The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has expressed concern over the statement of the Director General of Police (DGP), Manipur, Y Joykumar that the academic atmosphere of the state has been disturbed due to the involvement of some non-student activists in students' bodies.

Decrying the statement, Publicity and Propaganda Secretary of DESAM, KC Ibomcha wanted to know the connotation of the DGP's statement.

Ibomcha said, the DGP did not bother to punish the involved IRB personnel but instead booked some students, including DESAM's Education secretary A Thoithoi under NSA.

Asserting that all students' bodies have their own rules prohibiting involvement of non-students in their organisations, Ibomcha stated that DESAM has also been following the same principle so far and there has been no such person in the organisation.

All members of DESAM have been performing their duties towards bringing quality education in the state with sincere commitment, he stated and asked if there was anything wrong committed by the students' body, it can be pointed out.

How the students' body which is committed in bringing about quality education in the state could disturb the academic atmosphere, Ibomcha asked, and added that such remark from a responsible DGP is not expected.

He further asserted that it is known to the people who had compelled the formation of students' organisations and what makes students take up the cudgel as activists.

The DGP's efforts to cast DESAM and other student bodies in the bad light shows his ignorance about the custom, culture and situation of the land, the press release alleged.

It categorically asked the DGP where on earth had he come across many educational buildings collapse right after inauguration, teachers on substitution, fake teachers, misappropriation of midday meal, encouraging unfair means in exams, tampering, corruption while recruiting teachers, favouritism in appointment to higher posts in education department, etc.

It also stated that he DGP had watched the progress when DESAM had exposed the malpractice in the education department.

The DESAM's statement also asked whether there had been any two chief ministers, two education ministers and two DGPs in other states.

But in the field of education, comparing the state with others would be like the difference between hill and valley.

Who had caused it, Ibomcha asked.

He further stated that causing trouble for the students will be wrong when even the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had given priority in the sector.

Crushing DESAM and labeling students as militants and linking their activities with the UGs will not be the way out, he added.

The education system of the state is decaying as there is no clear cut education policy.

The policy to be framed by CM, Education Minister, MLAs, DGP and other top government officials has overlooked the matter by admitting their wards to the best educational institutions outside the state without trying to fill the hole in the system, KC Ibomcha rued.

He also alleged that all that happened had been the making of the government.

It has been done fearing reprimand from the Central government.

Booking some students under NSA is not a right step.

It also urged to free the arrested students and close the matter before a student movement erupts.

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