Meekap Thokpa Numit recalls Go Back Foreigner movement
Tributes paid to two martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 17 2026: The All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) observed Meekap Thokpa Numit (Realisation Day) today at Pishum Chingamacha and Manipur College.

The event was organised to commemorate the "Go Back Foreigner" movement of April 17, 1980, during which two students, Potshangban Premananda from Thangmeiband and Huidrom Lokendra from Ishok, were killed in police firing.

The main event of the programme was the offering of floral tributes at the Students Martyrdom Complex at Pishum Chingamacha after unfurling the flag of the students' union.

Later, a discussion programme was held at the multipurpose hall of Manipur College.

Meekap Thokpa Numit recalls Go Back Foreigner movement

Speaking at the event, AMSU president Bruce Pebam stated that the rally planned for today was cancelled due to the ongoing situation.

He stated that AMSU, along with the All Manipur Students Coordination Committee (AMSCOC), signed an agreement with both the Central and State Governments regarding the foreigner issue in two phases, on July 22 and August 5, 1980 .

Bruce also mentioned that a similar agreement was signed on November 9, 1994, between AMSU and the Government.

Explaining that the agreements were aimed at identifying and deporting outsiders, with 1951 as the base year, he added that the agreement, however, has not been implemented to this day.

Stating that the Government has initiated the first phase of census, Bruce asserted that AMSU will oppose any efforts to carry out a census or delimitation in Manipur until the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is updated in the context of the State.

He asserted that many of the issues currently affecting Manipur, including the violent campaigns of Kuki narco-terrorists, might not have occurred had the Central and State Governments implemented the agreements of 1980 and 1994 in a timely manner.

"How long will successive Governments continue to suppress the aspirations of the people?" he asked.

Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Kangleipak acting president BM Yaima, AMSU former vice president Khangembam Khaba, former president Sanasam Subhachandra, former executive member Julia Shinglai, Universal Mothers' Organisation (UMO) president Moirangthem Sorijini Leima, Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace convenor Laishram Mema and Poirei Apunba Leimarol Meira Paibi (PALEM) president Jibamnala Leima also attended the programme among others.