Volunteers of the Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) on Tuesday locked the offices of the District Multipurpose College of Teacher Education (DMCTE) and the Hindi Teacher Training College, protesting prolonged vacancies in teaching and administrative posts.

DESAM Secretary General Nongthombam Thoithoiba said DMCTE has only 14 faculty members against a sanctioned strength of 32 and has been functioning under an in-charge principal for a long period, raising concerns over accountability. He demanded the immediate appointment of a regular principal, filling of all vacant posts, and the return of faculty temporarily deployed elsewhere within 24 hours.

He warned that the Commissioner and Director of Education (U) would be held responsible if the demands are not met. DESAM said the Hindi Teacher Training College faces similar issues, with most classes handled by guest faculty, and reiterated its call for regular appointments.