Imphal: Teachers and students belonging to 16 student and teacher organisations staged a mass rally across five valley districts of Manipur on Saturday, marking the 18th observance of Free Educational Zone Demand Day, an annual event since 2008.
It aimed at declaring educational institutions as non-interference zones. The protest under the banner of the ‘Coordinating Committee on Disturbance-Free Educational Zone Demand’ staged a mass rally across five valley districts of Manipur on Saturday.
Thousands of students and teachers participated in the rally in Imphal East and West, marching from Thangmeiband Thau Ground to Imphal College, Kwakeithel. Rallies were also held in Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur. Demonstrators submitted a seven-point memorandum to the government. Key demands included an end to extortion targeting schools and colleges, and legislation mandating a minimum of 220 academic days per year.
President of the Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur, M. Somorjit, said the annual rally reflects growing concern over educational disruptions caused by both armed groups and political interference. “We are demanding a legally protected disturbance-free educational environment for students,” he said. Insurgent groups and some civil organisations were demanding money in the guise of donations, said a student. “We are not against voluntary contributions. Fixing a specific amount and threatening institutions force to pay is extortion,” the student said.
“Even though the government has set up toll-free complaint numbers and police continue to arrest extortionists, threats continue openly even in the heart of Imphal.” Another demonstrator added that educational institutions and students should be exempted from political or militant protests. “Some groups are misusing students as tools to push their demands. This must be stopped,” the demonstrator said.
The demonstrators carried banners reading “Free education from corruption, nepotism and favouritism” and chanted the slogan “Make education a free zone” among others.
