Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 24 2009:
Worried over the deprivation of education to students for more than four months, following the 23 Khwairamband incident, the Senior Citizens for Society has appealed to the Government and the agitating bodies to soften their stands a little and bring a solution to the protracted issue as a New Year gift to the people of Manipur.
Speaking to media persons at Nagamapal this afternoon, general secretary of the Senior Citizens for Society Prof L Sadananda observed that different forms of protest movements were being undertaken under the Apunba Lup, the JACs and the student organisations demanding punishment of the police commandos involved in the July 23 killing, resignation of the Chief Minister on moral ground etc.
As a part of these protest movements, indefinite class boycott was launched since four months back.
Although students have been deprived of education for the last months, the State Government has been acting as if it is fighting a battle with the agitating parties without any concern for the suffering students, Prof Sadananda lamented.
He appealed to the Government for unconditional release of all those arrested in connection with the protest movement.
He further appealed to the opposing groups to relax their positions a bit and enable students to attend class as a New Year gift to the people of Manipur.
Observing that Gauhati High Court has ordered an investigation into the killing of Sanjit by an independent body like the CBI, Sadananda also appealed to the agitating bodies to think for the students.
Acknowledging that right to life is more important than right to education, Sadananda said that right to education has also its importance as all men want to lead meaningful lives.
In case both the parties fail to take up some steps in the interest of the people, Senior Citizens would be taking a decision of their own, he said.