Attempt to lock directorate office foiled

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 20: Imphal West Police foiled an attempt by students of 12 colleges under Manipur University to lock the office of the Directorate of University and Higher Education at Nityaipat Chuthek today.
The college students had been protesting against the hike in admission fee and had stormed the directorate office today as the directorate had paid no heed to their demands.
A team of Imphal West Police reached the protest site in time and foiled the attempt to lock the office. After a hassle between the students and the police, the situation was brought under control when a few representatives of the students were allowed to speak to officials of the directorate.
Speaking to the media, Premdas Khuman, general secretary, Imphal College Students' Union, said the students of the colleges had been raising the issue of the hike in college admission fee, but neither the directorate nor the Education Minister had paid any heed to the issue.
Recently representatives of the students had met the Education Minister, Commissioner and officials of the Education Department regarding the issue, however no response has been given from the side of the Government till now, which is very unfortunate.
The students are very unhappy at the appointment of an Education Minister who is indifferent to the sufferings of the students, he said and alleged that the Government is converting the educational institutes as a place for earning profit. Premdas Khuman told the press that the officials of the Directorate have informed him that the proposal to reduce the admission fee had already been sent from the Directorate to higher authorities but were struck down by the Finance Department and assured that the concerns of the students will be raised to the Chief Minister too.
If the Government does not address the issue at the earliest, the students will resort to more intense protest, he warned.