Scuffle breaks out as police foil rally
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 06 2023:
In connection with the disappearance of two students, namely, Abhinash Maibam and Ningthoujam Anthony, who had gone to Sekmai to attend a meeting; many students took out a rally with the apparent attempt to march till the Governor's Bungalow, here, on Monday.
However, police intercepted the students at Keishampat Junction, resulting in a brief scuffle between the two sides.
Students of Johnstone, Ananda Singh and CC higher secondary schools first gathered near Johnstone school, BT Road on Monday afternoon from there they took out a rally from BT Road through Khwairamband Ima Keithel, Wahengbam Leikai and Keishampat.
At Keishampat Junction (traffic point), the students attempted to cross the Keishampat Bridge to proceed to the Governor's Bungalow but were intercepted by police and pushed back till Churachandpur parking.
The students retreated till Sega Road before turning around from near Hodam Leirak and again moved towards Keishampat Junction.
The students tried to force their way towards the Governor's Bungalow but were blocked and barricaded by Manipur Police and central forces.
The students lifted up their hands, shouting "We are all unarmed students" and urged the police to let them through.
The police responded that the location of the Governor's Bungalow is a 'silent/high security zone' area and as such, no rally is allowed to pass through the area.
This resulted in a brief scuffle between the students and security forces, which brought the traffic to a standstill at Keishampat Junction.
Later, additional police teams arrived at the location and drove back the students till Waheng Leikai area, thereby taking situation under control without any untoward incidents.