Schools and colleges in Imphal Valley and Jiribam to reopen today after 13 days

GUWAHATI: After a 13-day closure amid the recent incidents of violence, schools in Imphal valley districts and Jiribam are set to reopen on Friday. School students expressed hope that classes would continue uninterrupted leading up to their boards, likely to be held in Feb-March.
The development comes a day after six student organisations of Manipur — AMSU, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK and AIMS — appealed to the state govt to reopen all the educational institutions.
The order of the Manipur school education directorate stipulates that all state schools, including govt, aided, private and central institutions, will reopen from Friday. Similarly, the higher and technical education department announced that all govt institutions, aided colleges and state universities would resume operations from Friday.
For Friday, curfew has been relaxed from 5am to 4 pm for all areas in Imphal West district. In the rest of the districts, too, curfew is likely to be relaxed further as educational institutions are reopening.
"The constant fear of violence, extortion and intimidation created a hostile environment, making it extremely difficult for us to focus on our studies. We live in perpetual anxiety, worrying about our safety and the future of our state," said Ambika Sharma, a Class XII student from Brajalal Institute of Sciences in Moirangkhom, Imphal West.
Calling for immediate central intervention, she said, "If the Centre doesn't intervene, our dreams and aspirations will be shattered. Our lives will be lost to senseless violence."
Covering the syllabus is also a major concern as pre-board exams are approaching in Dec.
During the periods of curfew relaxation, some teachers privately assisted board examinees with students visiting teachers' homes and schools in civilian attire.
N Suresh Singh, president of Manipur University Students' Union, said authorities should avoid closing academic institutions with semester examinations approaching in Dec. "Don't shut educational institutions whenever violence breaks out. It severely affected the students' community for more than a year. Research scholars were also hit by internet suspension," he added.
Stating that more than 50% of MU students enrolled in the main campus come from home, he said, "Frequent mobile internet suspension has affected them badly."
Both hill region students and their valley counterparts seek a peaceful academic atmosphere. Educational institutions in Imphal valley and Jiribam were shut since Nov 16, following the discovery of six bodies (three women and three children) in the Jiri and Barak rivers across Manipur and Assam. This incident sparked widespread protests, including damage to residences of MLAs and ministers.