Imphal, June 02 2009: Reacting to the reports published in the Imphal-based newspapers today about the State Cabinet's decision to evict the offices of student unions and other NGOs from the campus of the government institutes, the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has categorically asserted that it will not shift its head office from the present location on the campus of DM College.

Announcing the AMSU's stand at the head office, its president Irengbam Jamesbond Mangang told reporters that AMSU, which is the oldest among all the student bodies in Manipur, has always stood together with the people in the most crucial times and strove for the best solutions.

Three students had sacrificed their lives during the movement against artificial famine on August 27 of 1967.Several documents connected with that movement had reached the United Nations and a number of countries in the world recognised AMSU, he said.

James Bond further said that it has been a long time since AMSU had established its office on the campus of DM College.The Government of Manipur has never said anything regarding the location of the AMSU's office all these years.

AMSU can not accept the whimsical decision of the state cabinet and willnot shift its office from the present site, he said.

The AMSU president reminded that the Union had taken a major role in getting statehood of Manipur under which the people are able to govern themselves.

AMSU had participated in various movements and agitations demanding statehood and thus gave the Government of India a powerful impact finally forcing it to grant Manipur full fledged statehood.

Because of the labour of the AMSU and the people, O Ibobi is able to become the Chief Minister of the state today.

He said, people of Manipur will not forget the role taken by the AMSU in getting Manipuri language included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution.

Because of AMSU's leading role in the movement for establishing a university, we have the Manipur University today.

The government must remember the role of AMSU in trying to bring the Regional Medical Collge (RMC) to the state now rechristened as RIMS, James Bond said.

AMSU has always tried to save the academic careers of the students which are frequently affected by bandhs and blockades, he said and added that the Union had tried hard to stop the culture of mass copying by students during examinations.

Moreover the government must acknowledge the fact that AMSU had always fought against human rights violations.

The president of AMSU further reminded that the Union had launched series of intense agitations to drive the foreigners out of Manipur.

The movement is still alive.

Because of the Union's movement, the people of Manipur are able to live with their identity and indigenous culture intact.

He further said that AMSU had always been able to participate in all the issues connected with the people and the state due to the resolutions arrived at public meetings held at the head office of the Union located on the campus of the DM College.

It is unfortunate that the present government has failed to acknowledge the contributions made by AMSU towards the state of Manipur and the soceity, James Bond rued.

He also said that there are several former leaders of AMSU among the present MLAs and Ministers.

He appealed to them to review the decisions taken by the State Cabinet yesterday.

On the other hand, he demanded unconditional and immediate release of the students arrested in connection with the killing of Prof Islamuddin and said, the police hunt for student leaders must be stopped at once.

Or else the democratic agitation of the students will turn into violent ones, he warned.

Comment