Imphal, October 17: Agitating students of DM College of Science, who have been demanding appointment of adequate teachers have decided to go on mass hunger strike for one week starting from tomorrow.

The decision to go on mass hunger strike was taken after the Chief Minister refused to meet representatives of the students who had gone to present their case despite making them wait for long hours in the scorching sun in front of the Chief Minister's bungalow today.


Agitating students of DM College being stopped by the police from marching towards the official residence of the CM

Participated by a large number of students, a rally was taken out from the college campus at around 11.30 am today.

The rallyists intended to proceed to the Chief Minister's bungalow to press their demand for appointment of adequate teachers and restoration of normal classes in the college, which has been hit hard by the recent Government order of terminating the services of part time lecturers.

The students were however stopped by the security personnel near the gate of JN Manipur Dance Academy leading to exchange of arguments between the two parties.

Finally the security personnel relented and gave permission for five representatives to meet the Chief Minister and present their case to him.

However, despite being to wait till 1.30 pm in front of the bungalow of the Chief Minister, the student representatives were denied permission to meet the Chief Minister.

Announcing the decision to launch the mass hunger during a hurriedly called press conference later during the day, publicity secretary of The Students' Welfare Forum of DM College Sciences Thounaojam James said they have been compelled to cancel the ongoing relay hunger strike and go ahead with mass hunger strike for one complete week with effect from tomorrow in view of the 'despicable attitude of the Chief Minister'.

He also warned that if the State Government remains indifferent to the demand of the students even after launching the mass hunger strike, they would resort to violent means.

Meanwhile, various organisations have exerted pressure on the Government for resolving the issue of the part timers even as protest demonstrations and effigy burning were witnessed at various places.

Part time lecturers who have been terminated from the services staged a Wakat Meepham (protest session) along with their children at Ng College today.

Students of Lilong Haoreibi College burnt the effigies of Education Minister L Nandakumar Singh, Advocate General Ashok Kumar and Commissioner (Higher Education) P Bhorot along with staging a Wakat Meepham at the college campus today.

Demanding unconditional release of the students who have been arrested in connection with the ongoing agitation, aggrieved students of Modern College, Porompat have also announced to join hands with other agitating students if the Government do not formulate a policy and resolve the issue of the part timers.

Presidency College Teachers' Association, in statement made available to the press today, has appealed to the Government for revolving the issue so that students can learn in peace.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Manipur has demanded the Government to take up necessary measures for restoration of classes in the Government colleges whose smooth functioning as been seriously affected following termination of the services of 466 part time lecturers without making any alternative arrangement.

Taking serious note of the disturbance in the academic atmosphere, Kangleipak Students Association has stated it would be wiser on the part of the Government to rectify its mistake and come to an agreement with the striking part time lecturers as well as with the agitating students.

Addressing a press conference at the Manipur Press Club here this evening, president of Thadou Students' Association Henkhoai Singsit has also announced that the Association would also be launching various intense agitations if the Government do not take a definite stand toward resolving the present impasse and allow the students to have their normal classes.

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