IMPHAL, October 25: Following assurance from the state Education minister to meet their demands before November 12, the representatives of the student unions of Jiribam has called off its agitation.
The four student bodies based in Jiribam – AMSU District Committee, MSF Special Branch Jiribam, DESAM Local Council and KSA Jiribam Unit had imposed an indefinite total blockade along the National Highway 37 since October 23 midnight, as part of their series of agitation against the government’s failure to look into their slew of demands regarding lack of infrastructures and transfer policy of teachers in Jiribam sub-division.
The student bodies had started their series of agitation with wearing of black badges and continued with economic blockade along the Imphal-Jiribam highway and the total blockade.
The student representatives had met with the Education minister at his office chamber regarding the demands.
Addressing media persons at the Keishampat office of the DESAM, the representatives of student bodies of Jiribam said an agreement was reached between them and the minister.
Y Sanjiv Singh of AMSU, Jiribam said that After a patient hearing of the demands of the students unions of Jiribam (DESAM, MSF, AMSU, KSA) and consideration of all aspects of the issues raised in connection with the shortage of teachers and inadequate infrastructure of schools in Jiribam, the meeting resolved that the 21 teachers of SSA posted at schools in Jiribam and utilised elsewhere will now be either made to return to their parent schools in Jiribam or new teachers will be posted at these schools in their place, whichever is feasible.
“Shortage of lecturers/teachers at Jiribam Hr Secondary School will be addressed by posting additional teachers or utilising the service of qualified teachers”, he said.
The minister had also assured that the problem of poor school infrastructure in Jiribam is taken seriously and acknowledged, he said.
He further assured the students` representatives that the matter will be put up to the notice of Chief Minister of Manipur as the development of infrastructure involves financial implications, K Bablu Singh of DESAM, Jiribam said.
The minister had also assured that irregularity in attendance of the teachers will be seriously dealt with and if necessary, disciplinary action will be taken against the erring teachers, he said.
During the meeting both the parties also agreed that fulfilment of the demands of the students` representatives will take some time and mutually decided on a realistic deadline, he said.
The students` representatives agreed to the suggestion of the minister to set November 12, 2013 as the deadline in respect of before mentioned issues, he continued.
However, as for appointment of additional Contract Lecturers for Jiribam Higher Secondary School, the minister stated that the recruitment process would be expedited and sincere endeavour will be made to complete the same within December, 2013 with preference given to local candidates, he added.