Catholic schools in Manipur still in a limbo despite management changes

IMPHAL, April 16: The Catholic Schools in the state are still in a limbo even after the school teachers have taken over the management of the schools. It may be recalled that the schools had closed down following threats from an underground group. All the headmasters of Don Bosco schools in Imphal have either left or are in the process of doing so for fear of harm coming to them after handling over the charge of day to day management of their schools to the teachers for the time being. However, the teachers and students are reluctant to attend classes after an anonymous caller ordered closure of the schools, a statement issued by the governing body of Don Bosco Schools today. The governing body of Don Bosco Schools in Manipur while welcoming the decision of the guardians of Catholic school students to file a petition with the Manipur Human Rights Commission and High Court in connection with the present situation of the Catholic schools in Manipur, expressed hope that the MHRC and the High Court would conduct a thorough investigation and bring a lasting solution. The Supreme Court ruling in the case of Veerapan in Karnataka will be significant in this case, the statement said quoting the body's legal advisor. Expressing extreme disappointment over the assassination and crippling of missionaries in the State, the governing body demanded to know if the missionaries have any human rights. Three Catholic missionaries have been gunned down by suspected underground activists and two have been crippled so far in the state. No one has so far claimed the responsibility for the recent assassinations Catholic Fathers.