Manipur schools for classes 1 to 8 reopen on Wednesday, says CM Biren Singh

CM Biren Singh also said that bunkers that have come up across the state will be destroyed, and state and paramilitary forces will be deployed in vulnerable areas.

Educational institutes have been closed since ethnic strife began in the northeastern state on May 3. (File)

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Schools in Manipur for classes 1 to 8 will reopen on Wednesday, Chief Minister Biren Singh told the media on Monday. He said this is being done keeping in mind the “need and importance” of taking such a decision.

At a press conference in the evening, Singh also said that bunkers that have come up across the state will be destroyed, and state and paramilitary forces will be deployed in vulnerable areas.

To help those who want to resume farming and agricultural activities, he said, the state will provide increased protection in five districts. These include Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Imphal West and Imphal East, which have seen the worst of violence in the state.

On Sunday, Kuki rebel groups had announced that they would lift the two-month-long blockade of the national highway in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, paving the way for the reopening of a critical lifeline of the state.

However, incidents of violence have continued in Manipur, with at least four people having been killed on Sunday, including one case where police said the victim had been beheaded.

On Saturday evening, the CM had said that he had spoken to members of the Kuki community in an effort to work towards peace and reconciliation.

“I spoke to some brothers and sisters from the Kuki community on the telephone, and said that what has happened has happened. Now is the time to forgive and forget, reconcile and live together,” he had told ANI.

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