Sit-in staged as police action draws flak
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 02 2024:
Condemning excesses committed by the police on protestors and random use of tear gas in school area during crackdown on internally displaced persons (IDPs) who planned a demonstration on Thursday to demand return to their respective homes, a sit-in-protest was staged near Ideal Girls' College, Akampat on Friday even as various organisations demanded punitive action against police personnel responsible for causing tear gas suffocation of kid students and assault of a media person.
The IDPs currently putting up at the Ideal Girls' College relief camp and students of the college took part in the protest holding placards that vehemently con demned inconveniences caused to students, equated the police action to disregard of sanctity of educational institutions, appealed to all concerned to ensure tranquillity in school/college zones, etc.
Ideal Girls' College Students' Union finance secretary Laishram Geetanjali told media persons on the sidelines of the sit-in that violence in the state lingering since May 3, 2023 is not only affecting the students but also causing untold suffering to the people.
People displaced by the violence and currently taking shelter in the relief camp opened at the college took out a protest demonstration on Thursday for urging the government to take steps for ensuring their safe re turn to their respective homes.
However, police used excessive force to disperse the protestors and even fired tear gas shells into the college campus, she said and strongly condemned excessive action of the police and turning the college into a battle zone.
Geetanjali also urged the government to ensure basic facilities and man-power requirement of the College.
Apart from the sit-in staged, several organisations also joined the condemnation chorus and denounced police excesses on the democratic rally taken out by the IDPs to air their grievances and assault on Impact TV reporter Rameshchandra Mangang alias RC, who was covering the event by a police officer.
In separate releases, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur (PLMPAM), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL), All Manipur Nupi Marup, Ching Tam Social Workers' Union and Peace and Integrity Committee, Kyamgei (PICK) pointed that the people displaced by the conflict have been taking shelter in the relief camps more than a year.
Recalling that the protest rally taken out by displaced people taking shelter in the relief camp opened at Ideal Girls' College, Akampat demanding rehabilitation and resettlement on Thursday, they denounced excesses committed by police towards the rallyists by firing tear gas shells and stun bombs.
They also denounced such firing in school/college area disregarding safety of students, staff and surrounding community.
Demanding thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future, they maintained that safety of children and educators should be top priority.
The said organisations as well as Noney District Working Journalist' Union also condemned assault on Impact TV staff reporter RC Mangangcha by an SI despite identification as a journalist while covering the rally.
Demanding the government to initiate stringent actions against those involved in the incident, they assured of supporting any movement launched by the media fraternity.
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