Imphal, July 17: Over 5000 passenger service vehicles, including jeeps, vans and Tata Sumos, participated in a huge anti-ceasefire rally around the periphery of Imphal city, even as protests and demonstrations continued against the proposed extension of the Centre's ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) to Manipur.

The rally, organized by the United Committee Manipur, commenced from the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre at around 10 am and passed through New Chekon, Ayangpalli Road, Khurai, Dingko Road, Chingmeirong Khongnang Karak, Lilashing Khongnangkhong, Khoyathong, Maharanithong, Uripok road, Naoremthong, Tera bazar, Kwakiethel, Heirangoithong, Langthabal, MU eastern gate, Kakwa, Singjamei, Yaiskul, Kongba and Wangkhei before returning to the starting point at BOAT.

A meeting was also held after the successful completion of the rally in which convenors of the UCM took part.

The meeting adopted resolutions opposing the ceasefire extension.


HUMAN CHAIN: The Committee Against Ceasefire Extension, Thangmeiband, in association with the United Committee Manipur, organized a massive sit in protest today in the Thangmeiband area from 9 am to 4 pm today.

Towards the end of the demonstration, a huge human chain was formed stretching from Lilasing Khongnangkhong to RIMS junction.

The several thousand people, who took part in the human chain, together shouted slogans opposing the disintegration of Manipur and pledging to protect its territorial integrity.


HUNGER STRIKES: Three students belonging to Nilofer High School.

Khergao, launched a fast unto death agitation at their school gate from this morning opposing any extension of the Centre-NSCN(IM) to Manipur.

The three children are Md Jabir Ali, Md Nasir Khan and Kshetrimayum Chandrakumar, at three residing in class X.Other students said that if the fist by these three is disturbed by the authorities, other students will carry on the hungerstrike.

In the meantime, the hungerstrike by students of the Praja High School, Lamsang continued, even though the police picked up four more hungerstrikers today.

After the police took away the hungerstriking students at around 10 am this morning, another batch of four students, namely S Memcha, Kh Bebicha, N Munal and M Sunil, took over.

It may be recalled that police had taken away some hungerstriking students of the same school yesterday also.

Meanwhile, around seventy men and women joined the mass hungerstrike at Moirangkhom bazar on its seventh day today.

The relay hungerstrike, organized by the Yaiskul Athletic Club, was launched on July 11 and will continue till the end of this month.


CAU STUDENTS: Over 150 students of the College of Agriculture, Central Agriculture University, Iroisemba, including from Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim staged a sit-in demonstration at Iroisemba Ching-jin against the extension of the India-NSCN(IM) ceasefire beyond Nagaland.

The students, acting under the aegis of the College of Agriculture Students Committee against Ceasefire Extension, strongly condemned the extension of ceasefire in Manipur and urged the government of India to withdraw it immediately.

The student committee also stated that they will take part in any movement launched by the United Council Manipur.

In the meantime, students of the Phayeng High School also staged a sit-in protest during school hours today at Phayeng Bazar.

250 students belonging to various communities along with 21 members of the school staff took part in the demonstration.

300 students of the Public Girls High School, Lamdeng Khunou, also staged a sit in protest today against the extension of the NSCN(IM) ceasefire to Manipur.

All shops remained closed at the Lamphel area in connection with a sit-in protest organized by the Meira Paibi Lalambung Makhong Takhellambam Leikai in association with the UCM.

Around 300 persons took part in the demonstration.

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