Amnesty International India urges immediate release of arrested university students and teachers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 25 2018: Amnesty International India has demanded the State Government to immediately release the teachers and students of Manipur University who were arrested by the police during the midnight raid at the university on the midnight of September 21 .

A press release issued by Arijit Sen, Programme Manager of Amnesty International India conveyed that students and teachers have a right to protest and the State Government must respect this right.

Midnight raids and subsequent detention inside a university campus based on unsubstantiated allegations, is outright harassment, it added.

It narrated that on September 20, Professor K Yugindro, newly appointed Pro VC and M Shyamkesho, the Registrar in charge of the university, were opposed by a group of students and Professors when they tried to assume office claiming that it was in contravention of the Manipur University Act 2005.It continued that on leaving the university, Yugindro and Shyamkesho filed an FIR which set in motion a string of events that included midnight campus raids by police, firing of "tear gas shells, detention of 89 students in different police stations and the temporary suspension of internet services in the State.

Pointing out that there should be an independent investigation into the use of force by police in the university campus, it stated that excessive use of force against the protesting students in a university cannot be justified under any circumstances.

Under international human rights law and standards, law enforcement officials must, as far as possible, apply nonviolent means before resorting to use of force.

Even if used a last resort, due restrain must be exercised, it said.

It continued that the freedom to dissent cannot be held hostage by those in authority and urged the State Government to ensure that the people are able to peacefully express their grievances without fear of arrest.

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