Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 19 2009:
The class boycott agitation called in protest against the July 23 Khwairamband killing as part of the protest movement launched under the stewardship of the Apunba Lup is still on, said a joint statement issued by the AMSU, MSF and KSA.
It said the three student bodies were well aware that the people of Manipur would never forgive nor extend any cooperation in future in case they (the student bodies) call off the class boycott movement without any valid reason, overstepping their own decision not to call off the agitation until the people's goals are achieved.
It would be a misplaced notion to think that the AMSU, MSF and KSA would call off their movement because of appeals made by some short-sighted individuals/organisations.
Neither the Government's bullying tactics nor the shoutings of double-faced pro-government organisations would succeed in neutralising the movement, they asserted.
"We are following the same declaration made earlier to adopt a new strategy of movement which would remain a continuous headache to the Government", the student bodies said.
The false propaganda being made by some organisations against the mode of protest movement would never bear fruit.
"The points of argument put up by those appealing for lifting the class boycott sounds out of place under the prevailing situation of the State and their points are indigestible to the protesters", remarked AMSU, MSF and KSA.
Just as the All Manipur Private School Welfare Association wishes to achieve their goals by making the AMSU, MSF and KSA call off the class boycott, the student bodies are also equally intent on realising the demands made under the Apunba Lup, they pointed out.
They appealed to the All Manipur Private School Welfare Association to give up the idea of realising their own objectives while keeping the goals of the people's movement in abeyance.
Those acting against the class boycott movement should bear future consequences of their action, they cautioned while reiterating that no tuition fees should be collected until the class boycott is lifted.
It also appealed to the guardians not to pay tuition fees until the three student bodies declare suspension of the class boycott agitation.
Until and unless the Government and civil organisations undertaking the protest movement come to an agreement, the AMSU, MSF and KSA would work to keep on hold Board/Council exams as well as some other exams.
The three student bodies asked school authorities not to take any decision that would further enrage them or that has the potential to project them in wrong light at a time when the movement is in sight of victory.
It would be wiser not to speak against AMSU, MSF and KSA for those organisations claiming to be representing people but could remain silent when Minister N Loken boldly termed the July 23 killings as an insignificant incident as if people's lives are cheap commodities.
In case they commit the blunder of speaking against the student bodies ever again, the individuals or groups would be bracketed within the 'condition of inevitable', they cautioned.
The dividing line between the agitating people and the unpopular government and its followers has become quite distinct.
As such, those organisations which were said to be representing people and raised all hue and cry earlier would not be audible anymore.
It would amount to committing an inexpiable sin against the people if the AMSU, MSF and KSA squander rather than putting the ball behind goal line which has been carried this far by the strong people's movement characterised by intense struggle and huge casualty.
Calling upon the people not to buy the false propaganda that the movement has subsided, the student bodies sought continued support of the people towards a series of intense movements which are in the pipeline.
Dismissing any question of exhaustion or dismay on their part, the AMSU, MSF and KSA called upon school authorities and teachers to study whether decisions that have adopted or planing to adopt would be compatible with the ongoing movement.
Saying that they have prepared for more intense modes of agitation, the student bodies called upon all clubs and organisations to be prepared to take the movement to its destination.