Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30 2009:
The five Principals of Higher Secondary Schools who were arrested and taken into custody by the police on alleged charge of failing to participate in the Republic Day celebration organised by the State Government on January 26 or allow their students to take part in the celebration have been released by a Court here on execution of PR bond of Rs 40,000 each today.
The five Principals are Laishram Rashi of Ram Lal Paul Higher Secondary School, Ch Padmabati of TG Higher Secondary School, Yumnam Ibetombi of Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School, S Khomdonbi of Johnstone Higher Secondary School and Yanglem Nongallei of CC Higher Secondary School.
They were produced before the court of CJM Imphal West and later released by Justice Padmeshori after execution of the PR bond (without security) of Rs 40,000 each.
Advocate Khaidem Mani who fought the case on behalf of the principals, said that staying away from participation in the Republic Day celebration following threats from UGs should not be equated with supporting the cause of the UGs and since failure to participate in the celebration is not a crime, the charges being levelled against the principals by the police are baseless.
So the court has released them on PR bond as there is no evidences to suggest that the teachers/principals were being seditious or supporting the UGs.
From the side of the police, the case had been fought by Government Advocate RK Pratima.