Arrested members freed but DESAM to continue stir
Govt asked to follow NCTE guidelines
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 19 2024:
Even as the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West has released its three executive members who were arrested on June 13, the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has said that they will continue to hold democratic protests until their demands are entertained by the Government.
They were arrested on the charge of forcibly closing the Samagra Shiksha and Education (S) offices and destroying Government properties.
Speaking to the media persons, DESAM secretary general N Thoithoiba said that their demands are to establish Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in Manipur and to carry out the recruitment examination of teachers as per the norms and guidelines of National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) .
He urged the Government to take a Cabinet decision to translate their demands into action.
Meanwhile, the executive members of DESAM were granted bail today on execution of PR bonds amounting Rs 30 thousand each in connection with the two FIRs registered against them at Lamphel police station and Imphal police station.
Three of them viz DESAM assistant secretary general Sorokhaibam Roki-yo (20), s/o Manikhomba of Pukhao Leitanpokpi; anti drugs campaign secretary Pilot Khangembam (23), s/o Yaima of Bishnupur Thiyam Leikai Ward no 8 and finance secretary Oinam Surjakanta (29), s/o Shelungba of Thoubal Athokpam Khunou were produced before the Court by Imphal police on completion of their police custody period along with a prayer to send them to judicial custody for more days.
On June 14, three of them were remanded to judicial custody by the Duty Magistrate of Imphal West in connection with the FIR registered at Lamphel police station on the charge of forcibly closing the Samagra Shiksha and Education (S) offices and destroying Government properties.
Imphal police formally arrested all three of them on the same day (June 14) .
The defence counsel, on the other hand, filed a remand objection and sought bail for the executive members of DESAM.
The Court after hearing the submission of APP of the State and defence counsel and also perusal of the material on record at both Lamphel and Imphal police stations approved the bail application.