JIRIBAM, October 23: Four Students’ bodies of Jiribam namely AMSU- District Committee, MSF- Special Branch, DESAM- Local Council and KSA- Jiribam Unit, in continuation of their agitation demanding various reforms in the Education sector in Jiribam Sub-division after previous democratic forms of protests including wearing of Black Badge followed by Economic Blockade on NH-37 failed to elicit any positive response, have resolved to intensify the stir with the announcement of a total blockade of NH 37.
Meanwhile, it is also learnt that representatives of the agitating body will be meeting the state CM and the Dy CM tomorrow at Imphal.
It is also learnt that, however, there will be no relaxation of the bandh.
On the other hand, upporting the agitations by the four student bodies, students of Sorok Atingibi High School and Lamba Sorok Govt. Jr High School staged a sit in protest inside their school compounds from 11 in the morning today with banners displaying slogans such as “provide teachers for our schools, don’t deprive the rights of the students, don’t spoil the future of the students” etc.
A Tata Sumo bound for Imphal was also damaged by supporters of the bandh.
After declaring the imposition of Total bandh in lieu of economic Blockade as planned earlier by the four student bodies, a leader of one of the participating student organisation stated that essential services including media, medical emergencies, candidates for examinations and teams going for tournaments will be relaxed but appealed for prior information from all quarters to avoid any untoward incidents, adding that the participating bodies are prepared to continue with the agitations until their genuine demands are fulfilled.
Meanwhile, a reliable source close to IFP informed that State Government has invited the agitating student bodies for negotiation and that the proposed negotiation might take place without withdrawing the ongoing agitation.