Student bodies storm BJP, Cong office
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 16 2016: Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and Apuna Ireibak Maheiroi Sinpang Lup (AIMS) are all set to launch a series of protest if the State Govt and the Centre Govt fail to bring an end to the ongoing economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) which has severely affected the entire populace of Manipur.

Speaking to the media at Kwakeithel Girls' High School, after different memoranda were submitted to party leaders of the Congress and BJP today, vice president of DESAM Aheibam Anand said office bearers of the two student bodies met representatives of Congress and BJP and they have assured that they would do what is needed.

He added that the ruling Congress party and the BJP led Central Govt should bring an amicable solution on the ongoing UNC's economic blockade by November 18 .

Student bodies storm BJP, Cong office

Earlier both DESAM and AIMS had earlier urged the State Govt to work out a solution by November 15.After the State Government failed to heed the demands, both DESAM and AIMS stormed the party office of BJP and Congress.

Anand continued that volunteers of both DESAM and AIMS will launch a series of protest against the State Government and Central Government if they fail to bring a solution to the ongoing economic blockade which has also severely affected the student community.

Due to scarcity of petroleum products van and bus service for different schools have stopped ferrying students and it has compelled many students to miss regular classes.

Many schools have been forced to shut down schools, he added.

General secretary of AIMS Huidorm Somorjit said that from November 21, the student bodies will launch another different form of agitations like storming party office located at different districts of both Congress and BJP if they fail to provide what the public and most importantly the students are demanding.

Further he said that DESAM and AIMS respect the assurance given by party leaders of both Congress and BJP, but it should not be taken lightly as all students are ready to launch a chain of protest against the State Government and Central Government.

Earlier in the day, a large number of protesters including students and activists from DESAM and AIMS, stormed the BJP office at Nityaipat Chuthek today, regarding the ongoing indefinite economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council on the National Highways.

The protesters organised a march from the office of DESAM located at Keishampat Junction and stormed the BJP office gate leading to a scuffle between the protesters and the police personnel posted there.

Later, a team of representatives from both DESAM and AIMS went inside and submitted a memorandum after meeting the BJP's vice president.

A police team led by Imphal West Additional SP, S Ibomcha, also reached the premise to control the situation.

The memorandum included demands like taking up steps to prevent future Natinal or State Highway blockades, creation and posting of a 1000 strong Highway Protection Force or State Road Protection Force, improving the condition of Imphal-Jiribam road under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's '100 Days' programme, keeping a stockpile or adequate inventory designed to last for upto four months for petroleum products and essential commodities (petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG and fertilizers etc), providing sufficient compensation to the drivers and handymen due to the economic blockade, providing adequate fuel to school vans/buses and providing adequate escorts to protect the trucks and vehicles along the highways.

After the meeting, Nameirakpam Edison, secy general of DESAM, said,"BJP has agreed to approach the Centre to hear the demands contained in the memorandum" .