Students, cops hurt in tense stand off
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 08 2022:
At least 10 students and two personnel of Imphal West district police sustained minor injuries after a scuffle broke out between the two sides at Kangla western gate traffic point area, today.
Reportedly, hundred of students who are to appear the upcoming COHSEM examination tried to carry out a protest rally up to Governor Bhavan and Chief Minister bungalow with a demand to allocate 40 marks compulsorily in the XII council examination.
As soon as they started marching, a large number of police personnel arrived at the spot and prevented the students from advancing.
Some of the protesting students, however, overpowered the police and ran towards Kangla western gate and Raj Bhavan.
Before the students reached Raj Bhavan, the police fired a round of tear gas shells and forced the students to head back towards the Kangla western gate traffic point.
After reaching the traffic point, the protesting students blocked the road from every direction, interrupting traffic movement for over 20 minutes.
Later, the police approached the agitating students to hold a talk and cleared the road, after which the students pelted stones toward the police team.
The police then fired rounds of tear gas shells and carried out lathi charge to bring the situation under control.
In the brief scuffle, at least 10 students and two police personnel were injured.
The police also detained five students and handed them over to City Police Station.
Speaking to the media, one of the students stated that they have requested the COHSEM multiple times to allot 40 marks compulsorily to the students in the council examination due to the Covid pandemic.
He said that different modes of agitation will be launched if their demand is not heeded.
Meanwhile, several students from Jiribam district urged the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BoSEM) to give them pass mark in the 2022 HSLC examination in view of the Covid pandemic.