Manipur schools, colleges to open after four months

IMPHAL - The four-month shutdown of educational institutions in Manipur was called off Friday following a meeting between Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the protesting groups.

Schools and colleges would resume classes from Saturday.

All educational institutions in Manipur have been closed since Sep 9 with the Apunba Lup, an apex civil society group representing more than 20 different organisations, demanding the resignation of the chief minister over the alleged extra judicial killing of a youth in July.

“The Apunba Lup has decided to withdraw their agitation with immediate effect after their leaders held a meeting with the chief minister Friday morning,” a state government spokesperson said.

The decision to withdraw the indefinite closure of educational institutions was taken after the chief minister assured the Apunba Lup leaders that the government was sincere in its decision to hand over the case of the alleged extra judicial killing to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Some schools that tried resuming classes last month faced the wrath of protesters. At least a dozen institutions were torched forcing the respective managements to shut down once again.