Newmai News Network
Imphal | January 15
The All Tribal Student Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has alleged that “some groups in the valley" have been harassing Catholic school authorities in the valley. The ATSUM further alleged that even one “valley based underground” outfit has asked Catholic schools to “close down”. However, the ATSUM did not mention the name of that particular "valley based underground outfit" nor “some valley organizations”.
The apex tribal student body of Manipur then said that it “has become a shameless habit on the part of some valley based organisations who chose it to be their god-send duty to harass Catholic educational institutions on frivolous and concocted reasons just because they belong to the Christian religion”. The ATSUM further lashed out that “this shameless charade of fabricating lies and heaping it on these hapless Catholic institutions during the month of January every year with an eye for seats in admission has become the sad norm”.
The ATSUM criticized the alleged organisations for “touting themselves to be the champion of free education zone for maintaining deafening silence when the premier educational institutes of the state are tormented and traumatised for outrageous reasons”. It further alleged that it is certain “valley organisations which inaugurated this unhealthy trend”.
According to the ATSUM, the timing of harassing the Catholic institutes is “questionable as it invariably happened during the month of January when the process for admission of fresh students is going on”. The tribal student body also said that, “this is a clear manifestation that whatever we are made to witness is nothing but a drama that is played by some rapacious and wanton degenerates who see the ongoing admission process as burgeoning business”.
The ATSUM then said that “one fails to understand why these selfless Catholic institutions which had done so much for bringing modern education to the state of Manipur especially in Imphal valley should be harassed”. The tribal student body also said that, “it would not be an exaggeration to remark that the bulk of our educated elites” viz, doctors, bureaucrats, engineers, intermediate officials are the products of these institutions”.
“Those Catholic institutions who are at the receiving end of persecution, torment and harassment every year on reasons apparent, frivolous, make-believe are appealed to make necessary preparations for the shifting of their institutions to the hills of Manipur since the past and present state of affairs had clearly evince that the selfless sacrifice that you have made for the upliftment of the valley people is not appreciated but scorned”.
