Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh announced reopening of schools for classes 1 to 8 from July 5 on Monday. Educational institutes have been closed since ethnic strife began in the northeastern state on May 3.
Amid the escalating ethnic clashes in the northeastern state of Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday announced reopening of schools for classes 1 to 8 from July 5. Owing to the extremely turbulent situation in the state, the schools have remained shut since the first week of May.
“Schools for classes 1 to 8 will start from July 5,” the chief minister said.
At a press conference, CM Biren Singh also said that bunkers set up along the hill and valley districts of the ethnic strife-torn state would be removed while additional state forces have been mobilised to provide security to both Meitei and Kuki farmers so that agricultural activities can start.
“We have lived as one and will continue living as one... districts were created just for administrative conveniences,” Singh said.
Stating that agricultural activists need to start, the chief minister added that 2,000 personnel of the state police forces who were attached to government officers, ministers and MLAs have been mobilised.
“They will now provide security to farmers and deal with disturbances by mobs,” Singh said.
The chief minister said a joint security meeting was held earlier in the day.
“It was decided that bunkers set up along the hill and valley districts would be removed from the day after tomorrow. The Army will lead the combined force of central paramilitary and state forces to remove the private and group bunkers," he said
The people who have been rendered homeless and living in relief centres would be shifted to pre-fabricated houses within a month as construction of such homes is being carried out on a war footing, the chief minister said.
Singh also appealed to all civil society organisations to refrain from making provocative statements and to work together for peace in the state.