Imphal, October 17 2009: (This is the continued part of the news report published in yesterday's edition, which should have appeared on page 3.However, due to an oversight, this had not appeared on page 3.We are publishing it today) .

Joseph Hmar further said that there had been occasions in the past when ATSUM called bandh, general strike, etc.

But ATSUM had never organised any kind of agitation that disturbed education.

When some people asked how their agitation would succeed by leaving other aspects related to education free, ATSUM had always maintained that their agitation might fail, but they would never disturb education.

The ongoing class boycott called by the three student bodies as a fallout of the July 23 incident of Khwairamband market is effective only at the schools situated in Imphal East and West districts, Joseph Hmar said and pointed out that there is no sign of class boycott at schools in the other districts.

Classes are going on as usual.

Class boycott can not be organised at the schools in the hill districts.

Now the three student bodies are saying that the Board and the Council must not go ahead with the process of conducting examinations.

Joseph Hmar asked, "Does this mean, like the students of the valley losing an academic year, that the students of the hill districts should also lose an academic year?" .

While the agitation goes on, let the students attend class and get education, Joseph Hmar said adding that "We do not want to enter into feud with anybody, but if our appeals are not paid heed to, then we will be forced to come out and compel the schools to reopen and resume class".

President of DESAM, LC Santosh said that DESAM has not given any comment on the over-a-month long class boycott so far.

However, the situation has become greatly alarming.

DESAM had always appealed to all concerned to make education a free zone.

It will not be right on the part of student bodies to suppress right to education while launching an agitation.

Moreover, boycotting examinations is against the principle of DESAM, Santosh said.

DESAM supports the agitation of the Apunba Lup and the three student bodies to protect people's right to life.

There is a conflict situation in the state, but we must protect certain areas for the sake of future, he said.

The president of DESAM asserted that the present government of Manipur, which is deaf and blind, can not afford to destroy education that will push the society towards development.

"While confronting the government, we should not destroy education.

ATSUM and DESAM will act according to the resolutions arrived at the public meeting to be held on October 21," Santosh announced.

President of ATSUM Thomas Taisa and president of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM), Humuliagou were also present at the press meet.

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