Seven hurt as students clash at Manipur University
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 29 2016: At least six students and one personnel of Singjamei Police Station were injured when a scuffle broke out between volunteers of the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and students of Manipur University today afternoon inside the University's complex.

A group of students stormed the office of the Vice Chancellor and some portions of administration block were vandalised.

Police later pulled up 10 volunteers of DESAM including president M Angamba.

The incident happened at around 12.30 pm when a large number of DESAM volunteers led by its president came to Manipur University for holding a reception function at the Centenary Hall in honour of students who have been elected in college votes.

Seven hurt as students clash at Manipur University

However, students of Manipur University and members of the JAC Against Implementation of State Reservation Policy in Admission in Manipur University opposed holding such a function citing the restive situation prevailing inside MU campus.

The volunteers of DESAM forcefully went inside MU campus by breaking open the main gate after which a confrontation broke out between the DESAM volunteers and MU students.

The police picket opened inside Manipur University and CCTV cameras installed at the main entrance gate of Manipur University were damaged in the melee.

Even as police tried to bring the situation under control, the students attacked them by pelting stones and other hard objects thereby inflicting injuries to one escort personnel of Singjamei OC.

He was hit by a stone on his face and rushed to Iboyaima Hospital.

Although the injured police personnel is stated to be out of danger, SP Imphal West N Herojit visited him at Iboyaima Hospital.

Later, police somehow managed to bring the situation under control after firing a few rounds of tear gas shells and the students were driven away from the main gate.

Students of MU were pushed inside the university campus while DESAM volunteers were driven away from the gate. Later the angry students of Manipur University pulled down the banner put up for the planned reception function.

They dismantled the sound systems as well as the stage decorations.

They also burnt banner (of the aborted reception function) .

The angry students of Manipur University later stormed the Administration Block demanding the resignation of acting VC M Dhaneshor (who is in charge in the absence of the regular VC who has gone on leave) for giving permission to outsiders to hold the function inside Manipur University.

The angry students tried to break open the iron gate of the Administration Block and pelted stone towards the block damaging some window panes.

Some minutes later, the angry students were pushed back by police but they again pelted stone toward police personnel before they were dispersed in different directions.

Speaking to the media persons regarding the incident, convener of the JAC Against Implementation of State Reservation Policy in Admission in Manipur University, Romen said that due to the present situation in Manipur University, not a single programme or function is being allowed to be held inside MU campus until a peaceful environment is restored.

Yet some members of MUSU and MU authority were misleading the students of Manipur university by informing that an interaction programme was being organized for freshers and seniors of the university but later it was learnt that the programme was a reception function of newly elected student leaders of different colleges.

He also asked why the authority gave permission to those who are not a part of the university.

He alleged that some students of Manipur University including girls were assaulted by DESAM volunteers.

Following the assault of Manipur University students, they have unanimously resolved to boycott DESAM inside Manipur University campus with immediate effect, Romen added.

He also demanded resignation of Professor Dhaneshor from the post of acting VC .