Students, cops hurt as grievance rallies turn violent
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 09 2024: Although the government had declared holiday of all educational institutions, students from different schools and colleges trooped out from different directions and tried to storm the official residences of the Governor and the chief minister besides the latter's private residence on Monday, demanding replacement of the DGP and the security advisor, removal of central forces and handing over the unified command to the CM.

Thousands of students protested in front of the Manipur secretariat and Raj Bhavan, demanding action against those behind the recent drone and missile attacks, and calling for the protection of the state's territorial and administrative integrity.

At least eight persons have died and over 12 injured in the fresh wave of violence, which includes drone and missile attacks.

The school and college students chanted slogans such as "Long Live Manipur", "Resign all incompetent MLAs", and "Give Unified Command to State Government" and expressed their frustration with the authorities over their handling of the situation.

Later, the students met Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Governor L Acharya.

Student representatives who met Acharya later told reporters that they placed six demands, including the removal of the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Security Advisor to the state government for their alleged failure to control the violence.

They also called for the Unified Command, currently chaired by former CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh, to be handed over to Biren Singh.

Students of Churachand, Tamphasana, Ibotonsana, Johnstone, Ananda Singh and Praja higher secondary schools, component colleges of DM University, Naorem Birahari College and Imphal College took out a rally from their respective institutes towards the Governor's and the Chief Minister's Bungalows, breaking through the police barricades.

Some of the students from Imphal East district rallied thorugh Sanjenthong, while others arrived from the directions of Kwakeithel and Kanglapat road.

Among the students, some proceeded towards the Raj Bhavan, while others went for the CM's Bungalow.

After a group of students who marched to the CM's Bungalow were allowed to meet the CM, one Laishram Janat said that the conflict has put the students in a dilemma and are confused whether to deal with the conflict or focus on their studies.

As such, the government should put an end to the conflict at the earliest and restore peace and stability in the state, he said.

Janat also urged the CM to stop security forces from harassing students and take over the unified command.

In response, the CM assured to put the students' demands into action.

At the same time, 10 students out of the large group which headed to the Raj Bhavan were taken to meet the Governor and submit a memorandum containing charter of demands, including immediate removal of the Security Advisor and the DGP, handing over the unified command to the CM, withdrawal of central forces from the state, 50 MLAs announce their stand and put the same into action or resign from their respective seats on moral ground, central government immediately stop the proxy war on the Meeteis, and save Manipur or allow the state to make independent decisions.

The memorandum also stated that the students are running out of patience and it would not be long before they decide to resort to extreme actions to save the motherland, while pressuring to translate the demands into action within 24 hours.

The students continued to sit-in front of Raj Bhavan gate, while being guarded by the police to prevent any unwanted incidents.

Vehicular movement along the Kanglapat road, Nityaipat Chuthek, Sanjenthong and in front of Sanjenthong was temporarily stopped.

However, some students amongst those present near the Governor's Bungalow began hurling water bottles towards the gate of Raj Bhawan, prompting security personnel posted there to fire tear gas shells to disperse the students.

The students then retailed by pelting stones but were subsequently dispersed by the security personnel with bring of tear gas shells.

Amongst the protesting students, many fainted and sustained injuries, and as such, they were taken to RIMS and JNIMS hospitals.

Two students were treated at JNIMS and 25 others at RIMS.

Pending concrete assurance from Raj Bhavan within the 24-hour deadline, many of the stayed overnight at Khwairamband Ima Keithel.

Meanwhile, students from Liberal College, Luwangsangbam carried out a protest in front of the CM's private residence at Luwangsangbam.

The students took out the protest from the college towards the CM's private residence, shouting slogans such as "No AR allowed to stay in Liberal College", "Down Down central forces", "Stop parroting the remark-Action Yengbiyu", "We condemn killings of Meeteis and torture of civilians", "We condemn harassment of students", and "Long Live Manipur".

However, they were intercepted by security forces deployed in front of the residence.

The students broke through the barricade and continued to move forward towards the residence.

They then turned back from Koirengei before returning in front of the CM's private residence where they again shouted the slogans.

Later, after talking with the police, the students returned to the College and concluded the protest.

Speaking in this regard, one of the students identified as Elangbam Bony Singh contended that the government has turned itself blind to the conflict and strongly condemned the lack of action when civilians are being targeted with drone bombings and rocket attacks: On Sunday, the state government during a meeting with Acharya had also demanded that the "Home ministry-run Unified Command" be handed over to the state government.

The Unified Command oversees security operations in the state and includes various security agencies.

College student M Sanathoi Chanu, who also met CM N Biren, told reporters, "We want to study freely without disruptions.

We urged the CM to end the conflict as soon as possible".

In Thoubal district, students in uniforms staged a rally demanding guarantee of the state's territorial and administrative integrity and opposing any form of separate administration.

As the peace rally in Thoubal turned violent, many students suffered injuries as police resorted to firing tear gas shells and mock bombs to control the mob.

The protesting students reacted to the police crackdown by pelting of stones causing injuries to some police personnel while one police man suffered bullet injuries.

The peace rally organised by All Thoubal Apunba Students from Thoubal Okram marched along NH-102 (Imphal-Moreh Road) and submitted a four-point memorandum to DC Ahanthem Subash.

While some students were inside the office complex of the DC, those left outside began pelting stones, injuring about five students while one lost consciousness.

The injured were taken to Thoubal District Hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, the students also stormed the Thoubal SP office, pelting stones and demanding the removal of central forces from the state.

Police and CRPF personnel at the scene used tear gas and mock bombs to disperse the agitating students.

During the unrest, the protestors set fire to an Alto car belonging to a police officer.

Amid the chaos, a bullet hit police constable Ningombam Alexander (42), an escort team member of Thoubal OC, on his left thigh.

Another constable, Md Ismail (46) suffered injuries in stone pelting while an ambulance, driver Yumnam Sarat Singh (60) was also got hurt.

All three were transported to Raj Medicity for treatment.

The clash between students and police continued till the evening.

Similarly, in Kakching district, thousands of locals held a mass rally protesting recent civilian killings by suspected Kuki militants.

They called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and urged the state government to take a more proactive role in addressing the violence against Civilians.

Comment