Normalcy restored after teachers call off strike

Imphal, Nov 3 (UNI) All part-time lecturers, who had been on an indefinite strike for the past one month, today called off their agitation after the Manipur government conceded their demand that bypassed UGC regulations.

The agreement was reached between the striking lectureers and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his Cabinet ministers, official sources said.

The government has agreed to nullify an earlier order terminating all the 466 part-time lecturers as they did not fulfil the eligibility prescribed by the UGC.

The lecturers said they were appointed some 15 years ago and the Manipur government had banned all sort of appointments. ''UGC norms are new and we were earlier appointed. We can not look for fresh jobs as we have already lost 15 years,'' they said.

During the strike, agitating students had burnt down two colleges in protest against losing their acedemic year.

UNI NS PC HS DB1217