A guard patrols one of the schools that reopened in Imphal on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Imphal, Nov. 5: Two schools in Imphal city reopened today for the first time since classes closed down on September 9, though the attendance was poor.

A majority of educational institutions, including Manipur University, particularly in the four valley districts, suspended classes after three student organisations launched a class boycott campaign on September 9.

The All Manipur Students Union, Manipuri Students Federation and Kangleipak Students Association launched the campaign to support the demand made by Apunba Lup for the resignation of chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

The Apunba Lup, which is spearheading the agitation, held Ibobi Singh responsible for the killings of passerby Rabina Devi and former militant Ch. Sanjit in Imphal on July 23 in an alleged fake encounter.

Though the government started talks with the Apunba Lup, the three student organisations were adamant that the classes should resume only after the Apunba Lup made a deal with the government.

However, the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (Desam) campaigned for the resumption of classes since November 2 and organised a public meeting in support of the demand.

Responding to the Desam’s call, the students’ unions of Ibotonsana Girls’ Higher Secondary School and Johnstone Higher Secondary school yesterday issued separate statements, appealing to the students to turn up for classes.

“Nearly 50 students of Classes XI and XII came to school today,” a teacher of the Johnstone school said. Students confirmed that four classes were held.

However, only eight students turned up at the girls’ higher secondary school today. Teachers and students were hopeful of more students turning up tomorrow.

Though the student union of Maharaja Bodhachandra College in Imphal city also issued a similar appeal, no students turned up at the college.

However, a teacher in one of the two schools that repoened, admitted that fear and uncertainty prevailed on the campuses.

Armed police personnel guarded the two schools during class hours.

The officer-in-charge of Imphal city, R. K. Tejbir, also visited the schools to oversee the security situation.

Irengbam Samanandi, a Class XI science student at Ibotonsana school, said classes should resume without any disturbance, as the students have already lost nearly 50 school days because of the boycott.