Manipur schools shut since August

Imphal: Manipur's classrooms have been empty since August in protest over an alleged fake encounter in Imphal. The future of lakhs of Manipuri students hangs in balance as the stalemate between protestors and the government continues.

The All Manipur Students' Union, Manipur Students' Federation and Kangleipak Students' Association had declared a boycott of all educational institutions over alleged fake encounters. The mass protests that have now entered in its fifth month have severely affected student attendance for this year.

"The government too had imposed curfew for 45 days that has affected education, so it is not fair to blame only Apunba Lup. If the government was sincere they would have taken action against the police personnel who killed Sanjit and Rabina Devi," said Seityajit.

As a result of curfews and boycotts, more than 80 per cent schools across the state are affected. Not just schools, even colleges, universities and tuition centres have been closed down by the agitators. At least five schools which had reopened were set on fire and vandalised.

"It is a cause of great concern for all of us, students away from classes, students away from duties," said a teacher.

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The government had set December 21 as deadline for educational institutions to restart classes but students failed to turn up fearing backlash, but now it says students will not be promoted unless they have adequate attendance.

By any standards it is shocking as more than 3 lakh school students forced out of classes because student unions, civil society organisations and the state government cannot come to a consensus on how to end a anti-government agitation over an alleged fake encounter.

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