Manipur: Tribal students’ bodies to resume indefinite bandh in hill areas from Monday

22 July 2018:

The Joint Tribal Students’ Bodies (JTSB) of Manipur has decided to resume its previously-relaxed indefinite bandh in the hill areas of the state from 6 am of Monday.

The JTSB is miffed over the alleged inaction and outrageous attitude of the state government over the issues of prolonged and indefinite closing down of Manipur University (MU), the recent terror attack in Moreh and assault of peaceful protesters and student leaders at Churachandpur.

On the impasse in MU, which has been going on since May 30 over the demand by Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) and Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) for removal of vice chancellor Professor Adya Prasad Pandey, the protesters demanded the institution of a probe panel to look into the charges against the VC.

“We strongly condemn the terror attack and attempted mass murder on innocent children, student leader and civilians at Gamnom Veng, Moreh at 2 amon 13 July 2018 allegedly by heavily armed cadres of the Kuki National Organisation/Kuki National Army (KNO/KNA), an armed group under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the government of India and government of Manipur. We are disgusted that the government has not even arrested the perpetrators till now…

“As regards the impasse in MU, we appeal once again to the agitating students and teachers to stop their agitation. The state government must make genuine and effective efforts for the return of normalcy in the university before it is too late. Otherwise, tribal students will start to demand affiliation of colleges in the hills to another university,” the organisation said in a statement.