Governor leaves for Assam after student unrest
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 11 2024:
A day after students clashed with security forces during their march to Raj Bhavan, Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Wednesday left Imphal for Guwahati, officials said.
Acharya, who is the governor of Assam with additional charge of Manipur, left the state for Guwahati around 10 am, officials told PTI without divulging further details.
More than 70 students and security personnel received minor injuries during the clash on Tuesday near the Raj Bhavan.
The agitators were demanding removal of the DGP and security advisor to the state government for their alleged inability to deal with the law and order situation in Manipur, where drones and rockets were used recently in the ethnic violence.
Hours after the clash near Raj Bhavan, the Governor met 11 student representatives on Tuesday night.
Police said that no fresh protests and violence were reported On Wednesday in Imphal valley where curfew was imposed and internet services were suspended.
Security has been tightened with deployment of additional forces and barricading of sensitive areas as situation in the state remains tense but under control.
Police have intensified patrolling the state capital in order to prevent any untoward incident.
The indefinite curfew imposed in Imphal West, Imphal East and Thoubal districts contain violence is yet to be relaxed as of late Wednesday evening though there are signs of the situation under control in the capital city, which saw clashes between students and security forces.
District magistrates of Imphal West and Imphal East imposed indefinite curfew effective from 11 am Tuesday after intense protests by the students, which began on Monday demanding the removal of inept security advisor to the state government and the DGP, reinstatement of United Command chairman to state's chief minister and removal of ineffectual central forces from Manipur.
As law and order situation in the state worsened after suspected miscreants joined the students' protest and tensions escalated, government banned mobile internet service in five valley districts of the state till September 15.Amid palpable tension and continuation of curfew, security measures in Imphal have been beefed up with barricades put up around vital installations and government institutions, with security personnel intensifying checking and frisking in areas including Keishampat , Sanjenthong, Minuthong, Moirangkhom, Raj Bhavan and others.
However, there is no security barricades outside Imphal city and people were seen moving without any hitch as if there is no curfew.
On Tuesday, security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse protesting students who defied prohibitory orders and attempted to overpower police personnel to reach the Raj Bhavan besides engaging in stone-throwing at BT Road and Kakwa area in Imphal.
The students had been protesting since Monday morning and also had camped the night in the market areas of Khwairamband.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said he met students of Imphal College and Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School and assured them that his government is committed to address the issues faced by the state.
"They (students) voiced their concerns regarding the ongoing disturbances in our state, and I truly value their input.
We had a constructive discussion about the challenges they are facing and the impact on their education.
I want to assure all students that we are committed to addressing these issues.
"The voices of our youths are important, and together, we will strive for a better future for Manipur," he said in a post on X .
In another social media post, he said justice for those killed in drone attacks will be delivered even if it takes time.
(With inputs from PTI) .
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