JSB protests educational negligence, petitions Amit Shah
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
CCpur, November 11 2023:
A district-wide students' rally under the aegis of Joint Students' Body (JSB), Lamka was held on the theme 'Rally against Educational Negligence' in Churachandpur town on Saturday.
Large number of students from various educational institutions and coaching centres in Churachandpur district took part in the rally held to protest educational disparity and alleged negligence by the state government towards the thousands of tribal students, who have been affected by the ongoing conflict and unable to resume their normal classes.
The rally commenced from Lamka Public Ground around 11 am and culminated at the mini secretariat complex after covering Tipaimukh, IB and Tiddim roads.
Displaced medical students of JNIMS, RIMS and others pursuing MBBS and PG courses but unable to continue studies due to government's failure to make an alternative arrangement for them participated in the rally along with displaced NIT, dental and nursing students while demanding alternative arrangement for them at nearby states so that they could resume their studies.
In light of alleged injustice done to the Kuki-Zo students, the JSB also submitted a memorandum addressed to Union home minister Amit Shah through the DC Churachandpur.
The memorandum demanded establishment of a Central university in Churachandpur, technical and other higher educational institutions in hill districts; disbursal of funds and benefits under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and other ministries for tribal empowerment to organisations based in the hill districts and headed by tribals; expedite construction work of the Churachandpur Medical College (CMC) at Mata village and, to streamline classes at the temporary centre at Headquarter Veng.
The JSB memorandum also demanded immediate resumption of online examinations conducted by SSC/banks-IBPS/UGC-NET/NEET-JEE/AGNIVEERS/ NTA, etc., at CDS-INFOTECH Lamka (Churachandpur) .
The memorandum also said that JSB will continue to support the efforts and demands of Kuki-Zo leaders for a political solution, total separation from Manipur.
Participants of the rally held with the support of Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur also raised various slogans against the government over alleged educational disparity.
There were also slogans of consequent negligence on the part of the state in the aftermath of ethnic violence that rendered hundreds of tribal students unable to resume their classes.
Officially, over 23,000 students are affected by the violence that broke out between the Kukis and Meiteis on May 3, 2023 .