Imphal, October 28: Opining that necessity of motor-cycles or mopeds by school students do not arise in pursuing education, the Democratic Students� Alliance of Manipur (Desam) has declared that use of motor vehicles of all kinds by students to attend classes or reach private tuition centres/destinations would be banned from December 1, 2006 onwards.

The student body also contended that students possessing such vehicles hardly pay attention to their studies contrary to which they (students) utilise the engine-powered bikes and mopeds in leisure activities.

Elucidating on the contention, DESAM said many of the bike-possessing students of high school or higher secondary levels scurry from place to place to purchase harmful drugs (tablets) or set schedules at drinking joints.

Illustrating an example, it pointed that it is not uncommon today to find students in uniform near places notorious for drug sale.

Moreover, what compelling factors would the students cite for indispensability of bikes/mopeds in their pursuit of academic excellence, questioned the student body and added that pressurising their parents in possessing such vehicles automatically means depleting their financial returns which in turn takes toil on the State�s economy.

Expressing solidarity to those parents who have to spent their entire earnings in pleasing their children, DESAM also cautioned that cowing to tantrums of their wards also risk losing their own children as bikes/mopeds vulnerable to road accidents need no further explanation.

DESAM do not rely on hearsay but if the above contention is not convincing enough records are available in plentiful at hospitals where most cases of accidents involve youngsters still in schools of colleges, said the student body.

On the common scene of rows of two-wheelers at tuition centres, DESAM regretted that depending upon motor vehicles to reach private tuition locations have of late become a fashion statement rather than facilitate enhancement of cerebral capacity.

Confiding that decision on banning use of motor vehicles at educational institutions (schools/higher secondaries) had been taken taking into account huge expenditures incurred in maintaining these vehicles as well as for safety reason, DESAM also insisted that authorities of educational institutions concerned and those running tuition centres need to check characters of their students and immediately prohibit entry of students with bikes/mopeds.

It also pointed out that under certain Motor Vehicle Act use of motor vehicles by individuals below the age of 18 are liable for penalty/punishment and prevailed upon authority concerned against issuing driving licences to under-aged individuals.

DESAM also observed with awe frequent sights of security personnel conducting regular checking of vehicle documents and noted with regret that inspite of coming across under-aged drivers hardly any punitive action is initiated against such violators.

The dESAM statement further informed that after consultation with authorities of educational institutions appropriate measures and line of action to prohibit use of bikes and mopeds in high schools and higher secondaries would be chalked out.

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