Imphal, July 5: Thousands of students and teachers held rallies in different valley districts of Manipur on Saturday, asking for schools and colleges to be kept free from disturbances like extortion and protests.
The rally was organised by 16 student and teacher organisations under the group called ‘Coordinating Committee on Disturbance-Free Educational Zone Demand’. It was part of the 18th annual Free Educational Zone Demand Day.
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In Imphal, the rally started at Thangmeiband Thau Ground and ended at Imphal College, Kwakeithel. Similar protests were also held in Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur districts.
Speaking to reporters, M. Somorjit, president of the Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), said the protest is held every year since July 5, 2008, to make education a disturbance-free zone. He added that this year, they submitted a seven-point demand letter to the government. One of the main points was to stop extortion from educational institutions. Another demand was to pass a law requiring at least 220 teaching days every year.
One student said that some groups and organisations are asking for fixed amounts of money from schools and colleges. “They call it a donation, but it’s actually forced. Some even threaten schools if they don’t pay,” the student said.
Another protester said, “Even though the police arrest extortionists and the government has put up complaint numbers, the threats are still happening, even in central Imphal.”
Some protesters also said that students should not be used in political protests or other campaigns. “We are students. Our schools and colleges should be safe from these problems,” one protester said.
The protesters carried banners that said “Free education from corruption, favouritism and nepotism” and shouted slogans like “Make education a free zone.”
(Newmai News Network)
