Manipur Hills teachers demand 19 months' pay

Imphal, February 17 : With the state government having reportedly failed to pay them salaries for over the last 19 months or so, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the All Manipur Autonomous District Council Appointees Teachers Guardians/Parents has alleged that the attitude of the state government under Chief Minister, O Ibobi was the worst form of exploitation towards the minorities living in the hill districts of Manipur.

The JAC has given deadline of nine days for the government to solve the problem of pay.

All the autonomous district councils (ADC) of the hills including Kangpokpi informed NNN that the 835 (eight hundred thirty-five) appointed teachers of the ADCs have in total received only eight months salary so far.

No further salary, arrear or allowances have been dispersed by the concerned department, added the JAC and alleged that this was the worst form of exploitation by the Ibobi Singh led state government towards the minorities of the hills districts.

The JAC also alleged the attitude of the state government has turn anti-tribal in many fronts including the government education institutions and infrastructure developmental programmes.

The JAC also informed that with such attitude of the government, the ADCs are left with no options to call total Manipur bandh and economic blockades along the national highways (NHs) 39 and 53 against the governments negligence and exploitation.

The JAC also called upon the state government to release the salaries, arrears and allowances at the earliest possible and settle the problems faced by the employees for the smooth running of the academic session of 2009 and also for the better future of the hills districts.

Further calling upon the state government for an amicable solution to the mentioned problems, the JAC has called upon the general public to cooperate for the right cause during the JAC's agitation.

More demand revoking teachers’ suspension

Imphal, Feb 12 : Asserting that the five principals and the two teachers who were suspended by the state government on reported charges of dissuading their students from participating at the Republic day celebration 2009, the All Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturers’ Welfare Association has called for revocation of the suspension order against the teachers before February 20 failing which the association warned of taking up other steps.

During a press meet at Tamphasana Higher secondary School, Imphal on Wednesday, M. Devendro, vice president of the association informed that there was no response from the government’s side since the lecturers were suspended and added that no order has been passed to revoke the suspension order.

The association has been formed under the demonstration of 34 higher secondary schools consisting of 500 lecturers, out of which 340 are reported to be part-timers. M. Devendro, vice president of the association demanded that the suspension be revoke before February 20, 2009 failing which the association would be forced to take up other steps. The vice president however appealed to the various student organizations not to organize any protests which might create any kind of disturbance to the upcoming board exams which has been scheduled for February 27, 2009.

The vice president of the association also informed the lecturers had submitted a petition to Th. Iboyaima, the convener of the Arrangement Committee of the Republic Day Celebration for non-participation due to pressure from certain quarters. In this regard, he urged the government to investigate and punish the education (S) director and the convener of the arrangement committee of the Republic Day celebration and also to revoke the suspension order of the lecturers and the teachers.

Participating in the press meet, N.Arun Kumar, the Secretary of the association urged the government to solve the case and bring up a solution to revoke the suspension order in the interest of the students and ensure that education remains a free zone from any kind of disturbances. Meanwhile, the All Manipur Joint Government Higher Secondary School organized a protest in relation to this matter at the gate of Churachand Higher Secondary School, here in Imphal.

Speaking to the media, Premananda the president of All Manipur Joint Government Higher Secondary School stated that Teachers were second parents and God and that they are more important than the upcoming examinations. He also demanded that their suspension order be revoked.

He further urged the government to solve the insurgency problem of Manipur and also stated under such situation they were afraid to do any work.