Maoist Rebels 'Ban' School for 7 Days after Death of Girl Student

Maoist

Imphal, July 23, 2019:

The Maoist Communist Party of Manipur (MCP) has imposed a ban on the operations of the Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School in Imphal for a week. The imposition has come on Monday, a day when members and supporters of the Joint Action Committee against the mysterious death of Ningthoujam Babysana Chanu of a class VII student have staged large scale agitations at Khongnang Ani Karak road near the state assembly.

The MCP in a statement has stated that it has decided to ban Standard Robarth for a week so that justice can be meted out. “The parents of those children who were living with the deceased in the school should inform the party what their children are saying about this case. If this step is not properly taken up, then the party will be forced to ban the school for longer a duration, it might take the decision to ban the school forever,” it stated.

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JAC convenor Th Chitaranjan has warned that it, along with various student organizations of the State, will launch intense agitations if its demands and justice are not fulfilled and added that the matter should be handed over to the CBI for proper investigation.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed to the JAC to have full faith in the government and state police with regard to the death and assured of forming a magisterial inquiry committee to investigate into the death which the deceased’s family and the JAC suspected foul play.

The Court of Session Judge, Imphal West on July 20 rejected anticipatory bail application filed by the wardens of the School. However, the Court granted interim bail for the Principal and administrator of the school. The principal of the school, Pheiroijam Landhoni Devi, administrator Pheiroijam Romita Devi, warden Kamei Ileen and Nongmaithem Jinnty filed their respective anticipatory bail applications before the Court through their respective counsels.

Principal was unable to reply to numerous queries raised by media persons regarding the death of the student in the school's hostel during a press meet at Manipur Press Club. Replying to queries Landhoni said that a total of 36/37 students have been staying in the dormitory where Babysana was found dead. Ningthoujam Babysana d/o N Tomchou of Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai, a Class VII student of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur, was found hanging to death inside the school hostel in the morning of July 18.