IMPHAL, January 22: A large number of students from Manipur, under the banner of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) today protested against the alleged gross misappropriation of funds intended for them at Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi.
`The students of weaker sections, especially ST/OBC/Minorities are not getting their Post-Metric Scholarship. The said scholarship comes under the centrally sponsored scholarship scheme; the fund of which for the past and current year is being duly released by Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India,` NEFIS said in a press statement.
`However, this is appalling that despite the sanction and release of fund from Central Government, the State Government has failed to provide the scholarships to students of above mentioned categories for several years,` it said.
The students are very agitated with the Manipur state authorities who have withheld the funds released from central government meant for them, since 2010-2011, it further said.
United Kakching student also participated in the protest, extending solidarity to the struggle
of the student from the marginalized section of the society.
Despite of heavy rainfall in Delhi the students stood in front of Manipur Bhawan for their rights till the Office of the Resident Commission accepted their memorandum, it added.
NEFIS also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur through the Office of the Resident Commission, Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi in regard to the matter.