Manipur schools reopen after six months

Imphal, Jan 12 (ANI): The students and their parents in Manipur here have heaved a sigh of relief as all the schools have reopened after a gap of six months.

The schools were reopened on Monday following the signing of an agreement between the government and Apunba Lup, an umbrella body of 23 organisations, on Friday (January 8) through which the latter called off its agitation.

Students who feared for their careers finally seemed relieved with the reopening of schools from Monday (January 11).

"For six months, there was no class. We have lost so much. But now as the classes have resumed, it will be good for all the students," said Diana, an eleventh standard student.

The parents are also delighted to watch their children get back on the regular track.

"Earlier, the children wasted most of their time playing and stayed away from books. Their routine, which they maintained while going to school, was almost broken but now we are happy that the classes have resumed," said Ruparani Devi, mother of a student.

A bustling crowd of parents, teachers and students were seen outside the schools in the State.

"We were feeling very sad. We were feeling out of the place. Children were feeling sad. We were thinking what to do but now we are quite happy," said Sister Mary, a primary school teacher.

Manipur has been on the boil since the killing of a pregnant woman and a suspected militant in a shootout on July 23 last year, near the building of the State Legislature in Imphal. Five others were injured in the shootout.

Protestors under the aegis of Apunba Lup, boycotted classes to protest the encounter, which they insisted was fake.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had ordered a judicial probe into the killing and suspended the six police personnel, who were reportedly involved in the incident. (ANI)