Imphal — For the second time, Catholic schools in Imphal closed down indefinitely with effect from Tuesday. According to report, the schools were compelled to close down fearing “unwanted consequences” from militant groups.
Students were asked to go home after first period on Tuesday, sources said. The school authorities however remained tight-lipped.
The sources said that the school authorities received fresh threats compelling them to close down until their “demands” were met. Whether the demands were related to extortion or other issues, could not ascertained.
Earlier, in March Catholic schools in Imphal were compelled to close down, under pressure from underground groups to fulfill their monetary demands, Nagaland Post reported.
This time, the closure of the Catholic schools came up a day after militant group Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)-MC reaffirmed its stand and announced to launch its “Operation Mangal.”
“Operation Mangal” comprises of a special vigilance group– to oversee educational institutions against the prevailing admission and tuition fees, selection of students and reservation norms etc.
On March 31, during the launching of ‘Operation Mangal’, KCP (MC) imposed an indefinite ban of all Catholic schools in the state allegedly for ‘failing to conform to the sincere proposal of the outfit and the public.’
The group reaffirmed its stand in a statement dispatched to local media houses on Monday that alleged the Catholic schools in the state are all based on reli-care system devoid of organizational hierarchy.