Schools in Heingang AC told to remain shut

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 13: Denouncing the April 7 Tronglaobi attack that killed two children, Meira Paibi Lups locked the gates of Lairikyengbam Leikai High School  and several other schools under Heingang Assembly Constituency today.
Schools and colleges under Heingang Assembly Constituency must remain shut until justice is delivered, the Meira Paibis have asserted.
The incident occurred when some schools have started resuming classes after the curfew imposed since April 7 was relaxed from 5 am to 5 pm.
All educational institutions including schools and colleges under Heingang Assembly Constituency "must remain shut until justice is delivered". If any of the institutions are found open, then the authorities of the institutions should bear the responsibility for any eventuality that may occur, warned the Meira Paibis.
"Think of the children killed in the attack. What would you do had it happened to your own children? All schools must remain shut until justice is done," said a woman.
The womenfolk also called for all Government offices under the Constituency to be shut.
Notably, all schools and colleges in the valley districts were closed following the bomb attack on April 7 which killed a 5-year-old boy and a 5-month-old girl and injured their mother in Bishnupur's Tronglaobi.
To control tension and curb any unwanted incidents during massive widespread protest demonstrations, curfew was then imposed in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur district.
All schools under the districts shut and many postponed examinations.
After nearly a week, the Government eased restrictions and relaxed the curfew from 5 am to 5 pm in the districts.
This relaxation prompted some schools in Thoubal, Kakching and Imphal to open and resume classes.
Officials in the Department of Education said the department has issued no notification to close schools and colleges.
Curfew has been relaxed. If the situation is favourable then schools may choose to open and resume classes. There is no restriction, they said.
Some schools in Imphal have started normal classes, they added.
Even as the curfew has been relaxed, most schools and colleges are reluctant to resume normal classes due to the unpredictable nature of the situation prevailing in the valley.
Most parents are also reluctant to send their children to schools.
Most parents and school authorities alike fear that their wards may be taken out of the classrooms and made to take part in protest demonstrations.
"The chance of violence or unwanted incidents occurring in protest demon- strations is often very high and students may get hurt," said a private school tea-cher, speaking to this paper. Some parents also echoed the same concern, and opined that "education should remain free from disturbances".
If students are to join protest demonstrations, it may be carried out in such a manner that they remain safe and their wellbeing are not compromised,  the parent of a student opined.
"Reopening schools, and sending our children to schools does not mean we do not care and we are against the public. In fact, we are members of the same public and we vehemently condemn the heinous killing of the two children. We have been taking part in protest demonstrations daily since April 7, and we want the Government to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice," said a parent.
"Schools are closed but we still have to pay the tuition fees no matter what," another added.
Schools remaining shut for long will certainly have negative impacts on the children and their education, they said.