In a display of frustration over the failure of the Manipur government to disburse post matric scholarships for the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23, the Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) and College Students Union, operating under MUSU, staged a protest by boycotting the Minority and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) office in Imphal.
The demonstration, including locking down of the office, took place on Wednesday, highlighting the dire situation faced by students in the region.
MUSU vice-president O Premdas Khuman disclosed that scholarships amounting to Rs 10.44 crore had been sanctioned by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
However, the MOBC failed to distribute the funds to eligible students, leaving thousands without crucial financial support, he added.
During the protest, Khuman presented a letter to the media, which was sent to MUSU by the Ministry, confirming the details of the sanctioned post matric scholarship amount.
He expressed deep concerns about the government's sincerity, as keeping such a substantial scholarship amount pending raised doubts about the commitment of government officials.
Khuman noted that various student bodies had repeatedly called for the release of the pending scholarship amount through various platforms, but the authorities remained unresponsive.
Frustrated by the inaction of those in power, they resorted to boycotting the MOBC office, he said, drawing attention to their plight and demanding swift resolution of the scholarship disbursement issue.
