Imphal, September 09: Representatives of the three student bodies spearheading the class boycott agitation today failed to turn up for talks offered by Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa to resolve the deadlock.

Talking to reporters, the Minister informed that representatives of MSF, DESAM and AMSU were formally invited for a talk at his office chamber at 3 pm today but the offer failed to evoke positive response from the student bodies.

Francis also stated that he personally conducted spot inspection of schools in Thoubal district today where only teachers were present with no students in sight.

With the Government very serious to solve the impasse, the student leaders were invited to talk over the matter so as to put the academic process back on rail, said the Minister, who nevertheless asserted that efforts would continue to convince the student bodies to come to the dialogue table.

They would be re-invited even though the first offer had failed to make any headway, he assured.

To a question whether crackdown on agitators might have compelled the student bodies to decline the invitation, the Education Minister said if it is the case the matter would be consulted with the Chief Minister and all possible steps would be taken to bring back students back to the classrooms.

Highlighting that education is a universal indispensability and even more important for a backward State like Manipur to meet the challenges of modern world, the Minister cautioned that disrupting education process would severely impact on the people's aspiration for development and prosperity.

"I am not opposed to democratic form of agitation but it would be beneficial for the society in general and immediate family of the students in particular if the educational institutions are spared from getting involved in activities that are detrimental to pursuit of academic goals," said the Minister.

Fervently appealing to all concerned to contribute their mite in restoration of normal academic atmosphere Francis Ngajokpa assured concerted effort to cleanse education department of all ills while he is charge of the department.

He also informed of having invited student leaders of hill districts to discuss on the current situation and the talks would begin soon.

On expanding modern educational facilities in all the districts, he said processes are on to establish model higher secondaries at the earliest.

Comment