College election row: Students lock colleges, burn benches
Source: The Sangai Express
Bpr/Thb/Kak, September 29 2022:
Students of Thoubal College, YK College Wangjing and Kha Manipur College, Kakching staged protests today denouncing the notification issued by Dr Rangitbali Waikhom, Director, Directorate of University and Higher Education on Wednesday which indefinitely postponed all college elections.
At Thoubal College, the students locked the college gate around noon and shouted various slogans to show their dissent.
Similarly, students of YK College commenced their protest at around 1 pm in front of the college gate.
The students also set fire to several desks and benches among other items during the protest.
Students of Kha Manipur College Kakching also locked up the administrative block as well as the college gate in protest.
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Reportedly, both the student and teaching community of the College had completed preparations to conduct the election when the recent notification was issued.
The protesting students held placards with messages such as, "We oppose postponing of election", "Conduct college elections at the earliest" and "Don't take away students' rights" etc.
Subsequently, Kakching Police personnel arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.
Moreover, students of Thambal Marik College, Oinam also joined the protest against postponement of college election and locked the College gate and departments of the College today.
The protesting students went a step further and blocked Tiddim road with desks and benches.
Speaking to media persons, a student stated that the Directorate of University and Higher Education's September 21 notification fixing October 6 as the date for election had come at a time when admission process for Thambal Marik College was still ongoing.
"Despite facing inconveniences in this regard, preparations for the upcoming election were still made at the expense of the students as yesterday marked the last date for nomination procedure", he added.
He also mentioned that the recent notification postponing the election does not mention the causes for postponement or any tentative date for future elections.
It may be noted that Dr Rangitbali Waikhom had issued a notification on September 21 informing that students' union election for the term 2022-23 of all colleges affiliated to Manipur University would be held on October 6.Following this, colleges across the State had begun their preparations for the impending election.
After learning about the postponement of the election, disgruntled students showed their dissent through these protests.