Private schools in Churachandpur protest extortion by underground Kuki outfits

Private schools in Churachandpur District of Manipur continue to fall victim to the monetary demands of underground outfits.

The schools have recently resumed classes after four days of shutdown to protest against extortion by a Kuki outfit.

The military council faction of the United Kuki Liberation Army has allegedly threatened and demanded money from private schools based in Churachandpur District.

As a result, the Churachandpur District Private Schools Association decided to shut down all 52 schools from August 8 in protest against the illegal monetary demands and threats by the outfit.

T Chinsuanthang, president of the Churachandpur District Private Schools Association, said, "It has severally affected the schools. In schools, we impart education to students and this kind of disturbance by any outfit creates hindrance to serve our duty. Such incidents should not be allowed; education should be a disturbance-free zone, because students are the pillars of our nation."

Though the schools re-opened after four days, the students, teachers and parents appealed to the militant outfits to spare educational institutions. They want education to be a disturbance-free zone.

Tracy Tingngaihlun, a student, shared, "Those who are trying to create disturbance in our school should stop, and instead, they should declare schools as the future of society, because this is the place where we learn, play and have fun.

Several militant groups are based in Churachandpur District, which shares its borders with Myanmar.

A majority of the groups have suspension of operations agreement with the Centre and the state government and their cadres stay in designated camps.

However, some militant groups, which are outside the suspension of operations agreement, are operating in the district and create disturbances.