Massive rallies across Manipur valley districts demand disruption-free education

Hundreds of students, teachers, and education advocates took to the streets across three valley districts of Manipur on Saturday to mark the 18th Disturbance Free Education Zone Demand Day. The statewide observance was led by the Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) in collaboration with 15 other civil society organisations under the common theme: “Make Education a Disturbance Free Zone.”
The rallies, which drew large crowds in Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur districts, called for an end to disruptions in the education sector arising from conflict, political unrest, corruption, and administrative apathy.
In Imphal, demonstrators began their march from THAU Ground near the Manipur Legislative Assembly and proceeded through key locations before concluding at Imphal College, near the airport. In Kakching and Thoubal, the rally started at BASU Ground and culminated at Thoubal College. Bishnupur district saw a similar demonstration that commenced from DSA Ground and ended at the ECHO Thiyam Leikai community hall.
Speaking to the media, DESAM President Mayengbam Somorjit pressed the government to enact legislation mandating a minimum of 220 academic days annually in all educational institutions. He stressed that such a law would help safeguard students’ learning opportunities, particularly in times of prolonged unrest or crisis.
Among other demands, DESAM called for the appointment of Directors of Education (Schools) and Directors of Education (University and Higher Secondary) from among eligible and experienced educators. The organisation also demanded transparency in educational governance, insisting that appointments and promotions be free from corruption, nepotism, and favouritism.
Significantly, the rally also appealed to all armed groups operating in the state to refrain from imposing financial or material demands on schools and colleges—practices that have reportedly disrupted academic activities and placed undue pressure on institutions.
The participants carried placards and banners calling for peace in educational zones, raising slogans in support of quality, accessible, and uninterrupted learning for every student in the state.