Militants condemned for closing down educational institutes

Imphal, Sep 27 (UNI) The Association of Premier State College Seniors, Manipur, has condemned the pressure exerted on educational institutes by militants.

Association secretary Dr Chisthi said the association protested against the extortion demands by some militant organisations from the Premier Colleges in the state.

The Association of retired teachers expressed shock at the manner the militants flex their muscles and having the audacity to demand money and intimidating with dire consequences, should the demands be not met by the Principals.

The Principals of the Academic Institutions, the meeting felt, should not be subjected to the trauma and tribulation to which they are now subjected to by the demand for money.

The extortion demands have adverse effect on the working of the institution, vitiating the normal academic atmosphere and cutting short the students' career, Dr Chisthi said.

Three prominent government educational institutes have been closed down due to monetary demands by suspected militants.

The DM College of Science, Imphal, DM College of Commerce and Oriental College, Imphal, remained closed after suspected militants locked the offices of the institutes.

Two students bodies of Manipur demanded a free zone status for all educational institutes in Manipur.

The All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) and the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) have appealed to all not to interfere in the functioning of educational institutes.

Of late various educational institutes in the state have been forced to close down due to monetary demands by suspected militants.

The Kangleipak Para Medical Nursing, Khurai Sajo Leikai, Imphal East, has also been closed down indefinitely following a bomb threat by suspected militants.

The students of the nursing institute, mostly girls, have fled the institute after the bomb threat.

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