Six student bodies in Manipur have extended their support to the 24-hour bandh (total shutdown) call across the state, demanding justice for Sanaton Athokpam, a medical student who died allegedly under mysterious circumstances in RIMS hostel, Imphal.
The announcement was made by Saikhom Premchand, president of AIMS, a representative of the six student bodies in a press conference held at Kwakeithel, Imphal West Monday.
The six student bodies are the Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS), the Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF), the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), the Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK) and the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM).
A 24-hour statewide bandh is being carried out by the Justice For Sanaton Athokpam’ (JFSA) from Monday 6pm to Tuesday 6pm.
The Justice For Sanaton Athokpam’ (JFSA) is a joint committee formed to seek justice for Sanaton. The committee has been organising agitation, demading a probe into the mysterious death of the medical student.
Sanaton Athokpam was allegedly found hanging inside his room in RIMS hostel on March 15.
Appealing to the authority concerned to solve the case at the earliest, Premchand said that the six student bodies will support the statewide 24-hour total shutdown imposed by JFSA, to remain in effect from Monday 6 pm till Tuesday 6 pm.
AMSU vice president Laishram Athouba said the hostel room where Sanaton was allegedly found hanging was not sealed until March 26. The student body finds the delay in sealing the hostel room suspicious, he said. The delay in sealing the room could be a part of some hidden agenda to prove that Sanaton committed suicide, he added.
Athouba said the six student bodies have been supporting various agitations carried out by JFSA. One of the main reasons for imposing the total shutdown by JFSA is that the government and authorities concerned are not putting priority in solving the case, he added.
The AMSU vice-president further said media personnel, matters related to faith, medical and other essential service will be exempted from the purview of the total shutdown. Athouba further appealed to the people to support the bandh to ensure justice for Sanaton Athokpam is delivered.
