Blind students try to storm Assembly
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 01 2015 : Even though the indefinite hunger strike launched by Students' Union of Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi village in Chandel district entered its 9th day, there has been no sign of positive response from the side of the Government as revealed by Principal of the school Pareng Kom.

With the hope of airing their grievances, around visually impaired 20 students of the school tried to storm the Manipur State Assembly now in session on Wednesday shouting slogans.

However, the police took control of the students who were later driven back towards Singjamei.

From there, the protesters proceeded towards home in Chandel, informed Pareng Kom.

Talking to this correspondent, the Principal said, "We will not withdraw the agitation as there is no assurance from the side of the State Government in connection with the students' main demand to upgrade the school to a full fledged school" .

Blind students try to storm Assembly

"We would continue until our demands are fulfilled', he added.

He also called upon the State Government for translating the assurance into action.

Meanwhile, the Chandel Naga People's Organisation after organising a trip to the site of the hunger strike at Heikakpokpi, with some leaders of other organisation, had come out with a statement appealing to the State Government to concede to the demands of the students' union.

Briefing about the visit led by Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO) on Tuesday, organisation President Ws Kanral Anal informed that during the visit it was found that the SDO of Machi was sending Government officials to look after the agitating blind students.

It might be noted that earlier, the union in a release had informed of their proposal to launch the agitation citing the failure of the State Government to fulfill the demands.

It said the meeting of the union and the staff of the school along with the Education Minister held on May 4, 2015 at the latter's office resolved to put up the matter in a Cabinet meeting within one week's time.

The assurance turned out to be futile and as such the union began the hunger strike from June 23 near Heikakpokpi village along National Highway 102 .