Manipur University students lead protest demanding 'Disturbance-Free Educational Zone'

In a concerted effort to advocate for an uninterrupted educational environment, students from Manipur University staged a peaceful demonstration in front of the university gate today, July 24. This protest is part of the broader "Disturbance-Free Educational Zone Demand" campaign, spearheaded by the Co-ordinating Committee on Disturbance-Free Educational Zone Demand, which includes various organizations ranging from school teachers to student bodies.

During the demonstration, protestor Kshetrimayum Oken Singh highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing crisis on the educational sector. Singh reported that numerous armed groups have allegedly imposed monetary demands on educational institutions, similar to other sectors. This situation has significantly disrupted the student community. He called for a cessation of such practices, asserting that educational institutions should be insulated from these external pressures.

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Singh further emphasized that the ongoing conflict has hindered the proper conduct of classes. He drew comparisons with other regions experiencing conflict but where education remains uninterrupted, urging the Manipur state government to adopt similar measures to safeguard the educational sector from disturbances.

The students' protest featured a range of slogans advocating for key reforms, including: the prohibition of monetary or other demands on educational institutions, the need to prevent the politicization of education, ensuring educational institutions operate a minimum of 220 days per year, and eliminating nepotism, favoritism, and corruption within the educational sector. The demonstration underscored a unified call for a stable and disturbance-free educational environment.