Students attending schools in Manipur capital Imphal have expressed concern and fear about falling victims to attacks by terrorists.
Frequent shutdowns, bomb attacks and acts of violence have affected normal life across the state, so much so, that education is one of the areas that is worst hit.
Every year, since 2008, students have protested against these interruptions by various militant organisations.
Recently, students and teachers of Pari Imom Shindamshang staged protest for the release of one of their students who has been taken away by armed miscreants for recruitment.
In spite of all the efforts put from all sections of people, including parents, guardians, teachers and students, to make education free from all kinds of disturbances, schools are still facing all kinds of extortion threats from various militant outfits.
"As students, we have a lot of problems. A lot of students are being kidnapped for ransom. We are afraid to go out without any one to accompany us. We have a problem with power also and we don’t have quality education,” said Mrilalini, a student.
"The blockade is also affecting us as students. We are very disappointed to be in the condition we are in. Even the central government looking down on us,” she added.
Another student Roshni said, “The schools should be kept militant free. I would like to study in a peaceful environment I request them (militants) to let us study.
Ajit Kumar, another student, said, "It is very difficult to come to school. During the blockades, it is terrible. Many student are being kidnapped on the way to school."
The school’s principal, Sanjembam Memcha, said, “I am very much worried. Our students cannot move around freely. They often come across unwanted situations and their parents are afraid to send the children to school.”
He added, “We want our children to develop and explore. One of the students of this school was abducted last year. Till now there is no information about him. We are still protesting and praying for him. If the government does its duty, our society will become better. We want to live in a peaceful society.”
Ethnic conflicts are endemic to Manipur almost since the time of independence. The conflicts most often have turn violent for protracted periods. Such violence severely affects the lives of ordinary people causing loss of property and life.
This dislocates the life so much that people are compelled to remain confined to their house for long durations. This also causes the frequent closure of schools, college and other educational institutions. Naturally, students prove to be the greatest casualty.
Apart from this, frequent kidnapping and their recruitment to the militant outfits put a break to their educational aspirations.
In the recent times some of the parent bodies and civil societies have woken up to the menace of militancy and have rallies protesting against child abuse and forced recruitment.
The tribesmen in the hill districts too have risen to the occasion and have organised many protest and prolonged movements. Concrete results of such drives are yet to come by.
The Meitei militant groups played positive and negative role towards education whereas on the other side civil organisation demanded the militant groups to free education from disturbance.
