IMPHAL, May 3: Alleging the State Government is holding up funds for meals for the students of Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi, the students`™ union of the school resolved to impose an indefinite Moreh road bandh with effect from 5 am May 4, Monday.
This was revealed by the union`™s secretary W Angkham Maring during a press meet held at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.
He said that the school was established from February 3, 2003 and since then the state Government has not extended any support.
He said that the school has 55 students and the school has been looking after all its essentials without government help. Its funds come from donations by the public and Assam Rifles, he added.
He complained that they are desirous of bringing themselves up to match the education standards of other schools, but the Government has been failing them because they are differently abled. He lamented the attitude of the government saying this will ultimately be for the loss of everybody.
Principal of the school K Pareng Kom said that a memorandum has already been submitted to the state CM requesting him for full recognition of Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi, Chandel district and to fund for nutritional meal for the differently abled students of the school.
He further said that during a meet with the state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at the CM`™s bungalow on October 5, 2014, he had assured financial support in the presence of Minister Commerce & Industries K Govindas, PHED Minister I Hemochandra and principal secretary finance Barun Mitra.
He said on April 2, another meeting was held with state CM and Minister Education M Okendra at secretariat where the appeals were refused by the Education Minister saying that the State has 3000 aided schools and if one is felicitated then agitations from other schools will erupt.
Lamenting that the State Government was acting against the interest of the physically handicapped students, the union announced its indefinite bandh with support from public and will not lift the blockade until any amicable solution is not met, he said.
State Platform of Disabled Persons Organisation, Manipur spokesperson Yunus Khan supporting the agitation by Mission Blind School urged the State Government to look into matter at the earliest to serve justice.