Churachandpur: Thousands of students in the torn-strife state of Manipur took to streets on Saturday to protest against the discrimination meted out by the state government to the Kuki-Zo students in Churachandpur district.
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The mass ‘rally against educational negligence’ was organised by the Joint Students’ Body (JSB) and students from various educational institutions converged at Lamka public ground and marched till Mini secretariat complex after crossing IB road and Teddim road.
The protestors raised slogans like ‘education is our right’, ‘we want free and fair education’, ‘we resent disproportionate access to education’, ‘no education, no hope’, ‘transfer the Kuki-Zo students’ etc as they rallied against the glaring educational disparity and negligence by the Manipur state government.
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According to JSB spokesperson Samuel Taithul, the march against educational negligence was held to protest against the glaring educational disparity and the consequent negligence on the part of the state, where the conflict has rendered thousands of tribal students unable to resume their classes.
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The student body also alleged that all forms of remedial measures in catering to Kuki-Zo students’ interest are still pending, while months have passed since these students are left with no respite.
“While students from all kinds of fields had their careers on hold, and in a time where job seekers had to travel to far-off centers irrespective of the cost on their pockets, students of the Zo ethnic tribes felt neglected at the slow pace of the state to adequately address their plight,” stated the JSB.
“The March demonstrates the ever growing feeling of alienation among our youth and demonstrates our resentment at the indifference of the Union government to the sufferings of the Kuki-Zo students and the complete neglect of their collective futures,” it added.
In light of the injustices born by the Zo students, the JSB also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the district deputy commissioner which demanded the establishment of a Central University, institutes of technical and other higher educational institutes in the hill districts, timely disbursal of funds and benefits under the tribal ministry to organisations based in the hill districts.
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The student body also demanded for expedite the completion of Churachandpur Medical College (CMC) being undertaken at Mata village and in the meantime to streamline classes at the temporary center at headquarters Veng. Immediate resumption of online examinations conducted by SSC/BANKS-IBPS/UGCNET/NEET-JEE/AGNIVEERS/NTA etc. at CDS-INFOTECH Churachandpur, it stated.
While we continue to support the efforts and demands of our leaders for a political solution, we resolve to continue our fight for justice, the other name for which is ‘Total Separation from Manipur’, added the JSB in the memorandum submitted to Amit Shah.
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