The Catholic Educational Society Manipur (CESM) has conveyed its concern about the recent bomb blast inside Little Flower School on 5 June. Hence, the Educational institutions under the Catholic church in Manipur will close on 7 June to protest the bomb explosion on the premises of a Church school in Imphal, the capital of the northeastern Indian state.
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting with the CESM executives and Archbishop House Curia officials following the incident in one of the leading Christian missionary schools, said Rev Father Stephen Touthang, Director of CSEM.
According to Father Touthang, around 3:10 am on June 5 some unidentified miscreants exploded the bomb, damaging some portions of the school building, and shattering window panes.
No one has claimed responsibility for the blast so far, the priest told reporters.
As a mark of protest, a sit-in- the protest was held on 6 June by the staff and students. The protesters demanded the state government ensure safety for the students and make the school a “violence-free zone.”
The protesters held placards with slogans that read among others, ‘We condemn the bomb attack on our school,’ ‘Allow us to grow without fear,’ ‘Ensure our safety,’ ‘Spare us, we just survived the pandemic.’
School headmistress Sister Kaini Martha said it was unfortunate that “such incident is happening in a school which is working for the growth and all-round development of students.”
In a message to teachers, parents and students, Sister Martha, a member of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, said students of grades seven to ten and their teachers will have a rally from 9 am to 11 am. She invited parents, past students, school van drivers and well-wishers to join the rally in solidarity.
“Your cooperation is solicited for the cause to make our educational institutions a free and safe zone,” the nun wrote.
Meanwhile, the All Manipur Catholic Union also condemned the incident.