IMPHAL, July 17: A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the High Court of Manipur demanding immediate restoration of academic atmosphere of all educational institutions located within Imphal area by quashing of the official orders imposing temporary closure of all education institutes in Imphal areas.
According to the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, its deputy secretary Education and Academic Affairs Nameirakpam Edison Meitei has filed the PIL today with the State government through principal secretary (Education) and deputy secretary (Education S) and deputy secretary (Hr & Tech Education) as respondents.
In the PIL, the petitioner has said that on July 8, there was a protest made by a group of students of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy therey demanding introduction of the ILPS in Manipur and while controlling the said protest, a student was killed by the Manipur Police when firing a tear gas shell towards the protestors.
It said in order to control any untoward incident in and around Greater Imphal areas, indefinite curfew was imposed.
The PIL said the same day, deputy secretary (Education S) issued an order stating that the government has noted with deep concern the disturbances of the normal functioning of schools in Imphal by the resurgent agitations demanding ILPS in Manipur and in consideration of the physical safety and security of the students of all educational institutions located in Imphal area, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to order the temporary closure of all educational institutions in greater Imphal areas.
It also claimed that the same day, deputy secretary (Hr & Tech Education) also issued another order imposing temporary closure of all higher and technical educational institution in Greater Imphal areas.
It continued that on July 11, the deputy commissioners of Imphal West and East lifted the curfew partially during day time. However, even after lifting of curfew during daytime, all the educational institutions in Imphal West and Imphal East area have remained closed without any justifiable reason, which is hampering the academic atmosphere of the students of both the districts drastically, the petitioner said in his PIL.
On July 13, the respondents had convened a meeting and decided to re-open the educational institutes from July 16, however, till date no public notification has been issued for opening of educational institutions and resumption of normal classes.
The petitioner has alleged that the respondents have failed to implement the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which has been enacted by the Parliament for securing free and compulsory education to the children and that the prolonged closure of educational institutions of Imphal West and Imphal East Districts of Manipur has caused untold hardships to the bonafide students and their parents.