48-hr bandh called in hills over TET
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, September 22 2012: FIVE TRIBAL student organisations in Manipur have on Saturday announced for a total 48-hour bandh in the five hill districts of Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul that will begin from midnight of September 23 to show strong reaction against the apathetic attitude of the state Government towards setting up of Teacher's Eligibility Test (TET) form distribution centres as well as exam centres in all the hill district headquarters.

This was announced during a press conference convened by Joint Committee of Hill District Students' Organisation (JCHDSO) of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM), Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), Churachandpur District Students' Union (CDSU), Naga Students' Union of Chandel (NSUC) and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) at the ZSUM branch office at Namdulong near Khuman Lampao here today.

Addressing the press conference, Convenor of JCHDSO Disuang Stephen made it clear that the tribal student bodies would never in the future accept assurances from the Government as the earlier assurance given by the Education Minister regarding opening of TET form distribution centres and exam centres in the hill district headquarters has turned out be 'nothing' because the Minister has not yet taken up any step to implement the demand.

Alleging that the Government lacks seriousness particularly over tribal issues, Disuang Stephen said the state Government has not taken the TET issue seriously and it is not responding to the demand despite the assurance given to the student bodies earlier and also the ultimatum served by the Committee over the demand.

He said the proposed 48-hour strike may be followed up by a series of intense agitations in case the Government fails to initiate the right course of action so as to end the standoff.

TKS education secretary Ashung, who was addressed the press conference, warned that any untoward incidents that may take place during the course of the shutdown in the five hill districts have to be owned up only by the state Government.

"We are pushing for our rights to the Government.

It is nothing if only the state Government works it out," Ashung asserted.

During the proposed bandh, barring media, there will be no relaxation on any kind of activity, JCHDSO informed.

It may be noted here that Kuki Students' Organisation-General Headquarters (KSO-GHqs) had called off its proposed 48-hour Manipur bandh on September 18 following the assurance from the state government to avail the forms of Teacher's Eligibility Test (TET) in the hill districts within two days' time.The state government representatives in a meeting with the student leaders on September 18 assured the latter that the TET forms would be made available in the hill districts from September 20 onwards.

According to Peter Mate, the examination of TET would also be held in the hill districts from next year onwards.

"The state government has assured us this in written," disclosed the KSO chief.

Education Minister M Oken, Principal Secretary in charge of Education Suresh Babu and tribal MLAs including Preshow Shimray, Z Kikhonbou Newmai, Alexander Pao, Victor Nunglung, G Varte and Memcha Kipgen and KSO leaders had participated in the September 18 meeting.

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