AMSU to observe Students' Rights Day today
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 21 2021:
All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Bishnupur District Committee would be observing the 32nd Students' Rights Day at the memorial site located inside Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School on Saturday with strict adherence to the guidelines of World Health Organisation (WHO), informed Committee president Khangembam Madhumangol.
A Committee release informed that the day is observed to commemorate the democratic movement launched by students of Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School demanding their right to knowledge and others in 1973 .
During the movement, a student of Moirang College, Haobijam Ibohal of Ningthoukhong was shot dead by police on September 30 of the same year.
Even after Ibohal's death, the then government refused to address the grievances of the students and as such, they launched a hunger strike from the midnight of May 26, 1979 .
Police apprehended 5 of the student protestors, which led to widespread agitation by students of different schools and colleges on May 28 of the same year.
Many students were taken into police custody by then Moirang PS Officer i/c Ibohal, who proceeded to open fire at the lock-up room where the students were being detained.
Even then medical officer Dr Brajamohon and other doctors who came to tend to the injured students were threatened and denied entry.
Of the injured students, Urikhinbam Khelen and Kumam Sharat died inside the lock-up due to the gunshot wounds and lack of medical treatment.
However, even at the end of their lives, the students wished for their movement to be successful before closing their eyes completely on May 28, 1979 .
Thus, the Students' Rights Day (also known as Students' Emancipation Day) is observed annually to commemorate the brave spirit of students Haobijam Ibohal, Urikhinbam Khelen and Kumam Sharat, it conveyed.