Imphal, May 08: Presence of Indian army personnel from Sugnu till the mysterious Sajik Tampak area might have instilled a sense of security among the residents as claimed by army officials to media-persons but for the time being school children are at the receiving end as educational institutes have been virtually converted to army barracks.

The stealthy advances of the Indian army to the stronghold of rebel groups may have scared the previously free roaming underground cadres and helped in putting the administration back on the rails but same cannot be said of the school children whose aspiration for a brighter future is currently under tremendous threat as they have to lay idle due to comfortable occupation of the schools by the security personnel.

Starting from Sugnu where the lone higher secondary school have been converted to a post of the 7th Sikh Light Infantry and prohibited for entry by civilians, students are, however, not barred from attending classes at the Chakpikarong Junior High School where 44th Mountain Brigade of the In di an Army has been established.

Sajik Tampak is a different scenario as not only the schools have been made into make-shift camps of the 27 Madras Regiment whose higher ranked officials have moved into the Primary Health Centre and deserted houses serving as temporary shelters of the Regiment personnel.

Compared to the past scenes of fenceless school compound of the Sugnu Hr Sec the Sikh Light Infantry has put up barb wire fencing around the school complex, piled up heavy armoury for the final push towards the rebel stronghold at Sajik Tampak and constructed bunkers to ward off any underground attacks.

Far from the previous practice of school children pouring into the classes from all corners of the school compound during school hours and sports activities taking centre-stage in the morning and evening strict vigil is being conducted by the security personnel to ward off any threat from disruptive elements.

Following occupation of the school by the security personnel classes have to be cancelled for an indefinite period creating a confusing situation to not only the students but to the parents as well, as academic sessions had already begun some months back.

The scene is slightly different at Chakpikarong where the Mountain Brigade post has been established at the Hr Sec campus even though there is no restriction on conduct of normal classes as the army personnel have occupied only few class rooms.

However, the security personnel continue with the task of food preparation and construction of bunkers as part of their preparation for a permanent stay at the subdivision.

According to a senior citizen of Chakpikarong the army occupation of the school is on temporary basis and added that community halls within the subdivision have also been occupied by the security force.

Some of the problems faced by the security personnel deployed at Sajik Tampak area are acute shortage of drinking water and infection of some personnel with viral fever.

Not only has the schools and club buildings at Sajik Tampak been converted to barracks for the security forces but houses, deserted by the villagers after sporadic encounters between the underground organization activists and security personnel from middle of March month, have been occupied by them.

Considered to be epicenter of the proposed flush out operation to be launched by the Indian Army Sajik Tampak presents a gloomy picture if immediate action is not initiated to ensure undisturbed academic atmosphere in the area.

Being located at the remotest part of the State on the Indo-Myanmar border Sajik Tampak villagers are faced with the impending threat of being caught between fighting of the rebels and Govt troops and uncertain future of their wards as the nearest educational institute from Sajik Tampak is located at the distant Chakpikarong considering the poor roads and erratic passenger bus service.

The most notable change among others in Sajik Tampak where heavily armed rebels roamed the dusty road is a signboard "Variety Store - Opposite to Army Gate" near Sajik Tampak Junior High School.

Those taking shelter away from Sajik Tampak reported about 30/40 bombs booming towards the interior jungle areas where various underground organizations are reported to have their base camps.

While most residents of Sugnu, Chakpikarong and Sajik Tampak do not decry presence of security personnel at their respective areas they nevertheless expressed that State Government need to intervene immediately to facilitate continuation of education.

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