IMPHAL, April 2: Tension gripped Khongman even as about 100 staff of UNACCO School marched towards the their school office located at Khongman Zone-III to join work amidst a ban of the school by locals of Khongman at about 8.30 this morning.
It may be mentioned that since about a week, tension has been escalating after three students from the neighbourhood were dropped from the UNACCO School without explanation by the school authority.
The neighbourhood also have been showing resentment at the continued use of Lisam leirak which is currently under repair by the school vehicles.
The matter had seemingly been put to rest after the intervention of the Imphal East SDPO and the local Pradhan on March 31, on condition that the school would suspend work till April 4, but trouble suddenly broke out again this morning.
Confrontation resulted between the large contingent of UNACCO staff marching to their office and locals trying to prevent them enter the school.
Timely arrival of Thonju MLA Th Bishorjit however saved the situation getting worst. Upon his request Police arrived to prevent a clash between the two groups, but there were charges that the Police were partial.
Following the incident, a public meeting was held at the Oriental Club, Khongman Mangjil where secretary of the club, G Phamtomas Sharma said that the club members only tried not to prevent confrontation but the UNACCO staff became violent.
He further demanded the chairman of UNACCO N Irabanta Singh to apologise in front of public as he is solely responsible the trouble.
Thongju MLA Th Bishorjit who was also present said that it was very unfortunate this confrontation should have happened at all, and blamed the UNACCO for using its influence with the police to intimidate the locals.
He lamented that the State Home Minister is soft to the UNACCO chairman and not hearing the complaints of the general public. He further urged the security forces to act impartially.
The MLA further said that Irabanta is also a local of the area and the matter should be settled by peaceful dialogue across the table.
On the other hand, in amidst a sudden downpour, UNACCO held a press meet at Porompat area in which UNACCO Manager (Admin) P Geetchandra said that the staffs were just going to collect office files as UNACCO was shifting to Porompat area when the incident occurred.
He said that it was unfortunate that the staffs were lathi-charged and 14 received in injury, two of them seriously, needing to be hospitalised.
Irabant was absent at the press meet, but Geetchandra explained this was on account of a life threat received by the former.
Geetchandra further said the school was ready to readmit the three expelled students and would also foot the bills for the repairing of Lisam Leirak.