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Imphal, Nov. 13: Manipur today distributed fire extinguishers to schools to save educational institutions from being torched.

Education minister L. Jayentakumar Singh today distributed two fire extinguishers each to 10 schools in Hiyanglam Assembly constituency of Thoubal district during a tour of the constituency to assess the academic situation and security measures.

The minister accompanied by works minister K. Ranjit Singh and local MLA E. Dwijamani Singh also visited Langmeidong High School in the constituency, which was set on fire by suspected supporters of the class boycott campaign on the night of November 10.

So far five schools have been torched in different places in the valley areas to counter the government’s efforts to reopen schools.

Education institutions have been closed since September 9 after the All Manipur Students Union, Manipuri Students Federation and Kangleipak Students Association launched a class boycott campaign as part of the ongoing agitation against the July 23 firing in Imphal city in which passerby Rabina Devi and former militant Ch. Sanjit were killed in an alleged fake encounter.

The government strengthened security for the educational institutions and appealed to guardians to send their children back to school and college. However, despite the appeal student attendance remained very poor in most of the institutions.

Jayentakumar Singh said fire extinguishers would be provided to all educational institutions and a police outpost opened in Langmeidong to guard schools and colleges in the area.

The minister said repairing of the damaged schools would be completed soon. The ministerial team visited a few educational institutions in the constituency to see the academic situation and security. He said he found some schools running regular classes.

The Government Recognised Private Schools Welfare Association has convened a meeting of founders, principals and teachers of the private schools on November 15 at Hatta in Imphal city to discuss the ongoing academic situation.