MSF to force closure of schools, colleges and MU

IMPHAL, April 26: The Manipuri Students Federation, MSF, has decided to force the closure of all educational institutions in the state, including schools and colleges as well as Manipur University from tomorrow in protest against police harassment of MSF leaders and volunteers in connection with the ongoing tussle over parking fee rates. Making the announcement today, the MSF general secretary Ashirjit Luwang told media persons at a press conference today that despite initiating negotiations on the parking fee tussle, apart from arresting several MSF volunteers and functionaries, other MSF volunteers were facing threats from the police and were unable to stay at home peacefully. The MSF president, Pheiroijam Nando, along with its finance secretary and other volunteers had been arrested by the police earlier this month for imposing a 'ban' on parking contractors for charging high parking fees in the greater Imphal area. It is worth mentioning that talks were held with the MAHUD minister on the issue on April 24 last, but the negotiations got stuck on the issue of release of the arrested students. Agreement had however been reached on the reduction of parking fees to the rates fixed by the Imphal Municipal Council. Ashirjit Luwang said that apart from the demand for reduction of parking fee charges within the Imphal municipal area and at RIMS and JN hospital, the MSF was demanding the unconditional release of its members, but there has been no positive response from the government. Considering the negligence of the governments towards the demands raised by the MSF in the interest of the public and the student community, he stated, the MSF had closed down government offices yesterday, but even then there had been no response from the government. Reiterating that the MSF would close down all educational institutions, including schools, colleges and MU, indefinitely until the demands were fulfilled, the student leader claimed the step was being taken in the interest of the student community and the public. He further asserted that no further talks would be held with the government and the MSF was preparing to launch a stern agitation after consultation with their senior advisors and ex-members.