Tribal storm building up over class boycott
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 24 2009: All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has decided to urge the state government as well as the agitating students' bodies to bring an amicable solution to the ongoing class boycott stir by October 31.The ATSUM decided to initiate remedial measures if the appeal is not heeded by either side.

This was one of the recommendations adopted at a public meeting convened by ATSUM at the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) auditorium, Chingmeirong here today.

Clarifying that the students' body is not communalising and politicising the issue, the meeting also strongly condemned the killings of Rabina and Sanjit on July 23 at Khwairamband Bazar.

Tribal leaders on dais during open discussion on class boycott issue

Observing that the agitations and demands of the protesters against the Khwairamband incident are genuine, the meeting noted that closure of educational institutions in connection with the agitations is unwarranted.

The meeting felt that the government should be boycotted rather than boycotting and victimising education.

It recommended urging all parties concerned to end the impasse by October 31 and ensure resumption of normal classes from November.

In case the deadlock remains unsolved within the stipulated time, the ATSUM will take recourse to ensure the examinations of Board, Council, CBSE, MU, etc.

are conducted without any interruption.

Further, the meeting recommended allowing collection of fees by private schools and educational institutions, and school bus/van owners from students in order to compensate the loss during the closure period.

It also recommended that the state government declare the agitating period as a 'natural calamity' and pay necessary compensation to the affected parties.

In case the government fails to do the same, ATSUM will mobilise resources and compensate them in its own capacity.

ATSUM also decided to hold residential coaching classes for two/three months for students of class IX and X cutting across communal line if the recommendation to appeal to the agitating party and the government is not heeded to.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, former president of ATSUM, John Pulamte said, the recommendations will be tabled at the ATSUM Council meeting which will be held within a few days.

Approval of the recommendations of today's meeting will be sought at the council meeting.

Speakers at the meeting included ANSAM president Adani David Choro, KSO adviser Kamkhohao Khongsai, president of Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) LC Santosh, former Minister Samuel Jendai, former MP Holkhomang Haokip, president of UNC Samson Rehmei, Kuki Inpi president Holkholun Lhungdim, social worker Somi Shimray, president of HERICOUN Rev Renghang Chothe, Valley Rose Hungyo, Rose Mangshi Haokip and several other dignitaries and participants.

Observing that the protest against the Khwairamband incident is genuine, many speakers observed that the ongoing class boycott agitation is unwarranted.

They suggested that the course of agitation must be changed.

Speaking on the occasion, former Minister Samuel Jendai said, the ongoing agitation seem to have been instigated by underground outfits.

He said, causing disturbance to the academic atmosphere is unjustifiable while adding that the issue should not be policitised.

ANSAM president Adani David Choro said that separate Board and Council should be demanded for the tribals if the class boycott agitation continues.

Observing that the ongoing agitation is not class boycott, but a ban on education, LC Santosh, president of DESAM, expressed that protest should be launched but human resource should be spared at the same time.

He noted that the future of the society is bleak without education.

Rev Renghang Chothe noted that the ongoing stir is a clear violation of students' rights by the students themselves.