IMPHAL, August 8: Aggrieved with the present stand-off between the college teachers spearheaded by the Federation of College Teachers Association, Manipur and the government on the issue of the implementation of the 6th pay scale, students have today decided to close the doors of their respective colleges upon their teachers starting from tomorrow until the issue is resolved between the two sides.
The students had taken the decision to bar entry to their teachers in their respective colleges during a press conference cum interaction of student representatives of various government run colleges of the state and media persons at Ghanapyari Women College this afternoon.
Speaking to media persons during the conference, Pukhrambam Pepe Devi, general secretary GP Women College Student union, stated that even though the current cease-work strike of the teachers had started since August 1 demanding revised UGC 6th Pay scale, however, the students had faced the cease work strike of the teachers earlier also.
She elaborated that the students always bear the major brunt of the stand off between the government and the teachers as is evident from the past instances when the due to cease work strike of the teachers, the academic session had been shortened.
While, decrying the disturbances created by the teachers-government stand-off, she has further added that both the warring sides seem to have forgotten that in their stand-off, the academic session of the students has been destroyed.
She added the exams are knocking at the door, however the teachers who are supposed to guide the students and the government who are supposed to look after the public have both forgotten about the future of the students upon which the future of the state lies.
She also added that in case the FECTAM and the government failed to bring any solution during their meeting on August 10, the students will be compelled to start their further agitations and the teachers and the government should be responsible for any untoward incident during their agitation.
The press conference cum interaction was also attended by representatives of various government colleges of the state.
Meanwhile the Government Polytechnic Students’ Union has also condemned the callous attitude of the state government for failing to bring an amicable solution to the ongoing teachers’ strike even as the strike has crossed a week.
A release of the union has further stated that the present strike will cause un-repairable loss to the students of the institute which follows a semester system academic calendar.
It has further stated that even as no classes are conducted in the institute, it is real shocking to see that other institutes sheltering inside the campus of the polytechnic are having full classes.
It has further warned that all offices inside the campus of the polytechnic will be closed in case the government and the teachers bring an amicable solution to the stand-off and help resume classes in the institute, it added.