Hundreds of students from various educational institutions in Manipur flooded the streets of Imphal on Monday echoing a similar call made by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and state legislators to the governor just a day earlier.
They gathered in front of the Raj Bhavan, a highly secured and sensitive zone, demanding that the control of the Unified Command authority, which currently oversees the security situation in Manipur, be transferred to Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
This agitation came just a day after CM Biren, along with other state legislators, submitted a memorandum to governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, pushing for the same demand, to grant more authority to the state government in handling security matters.
The students, coming from different directions, marched and converged in front of the Raj Bhavan.
During the demonstration, a few student representatives were allowed to meet the governor and present a six-point charter of demands.
According to the students, Governor Acharya promised to fulfill their demands within 24 hours.
However, even after this assurance, the students continued their protest in front of the Raj Bhavan, expressing distrust and frustration.
The students had cautioned that if their demands are not met within the promised 24-hour timeframe, they will intensify their agitation with more strength and determination.
As the situation became more tense, a section of the protesting students began pelting bottles and stones at the Raj Bhavan.
ALSO READ: Manipur Crisis: 20 including cop injured in Thoubal
In retaliation, the security forces deployed in the area responded by firing few rounds of tear gas shells and resorting to lathi charges to disperse the agitated crowd.
During this confrontation, two students reportedly sustained injuries and were immediately rushed to RIMS for treatment. More than ten students fainted, and many others bore the brunt of the lathi charge, suffering minor injuries.
The Manipur Red Cross Society swiftly intervened, transporting the injured and unconscious students to hospitals for medical assistance.
Despite these clashes, the students remained undeterred, declaring their intention to continue the protest through the night on the streets near the Raj Bhavan or at the historic Ima Keithel market in the event of adverse weather conditions such as rain.
As a result, the authorities have heightened security in the area, maintaining a high alert as the situation continues to develop.
The protesting students expressed their deep dissatisfaction with the central forces deployed in the state, accusing them of inaction amid the ongoing violence that has plagued Manipur for over 16 months.
Their anger was further exacerbated by recent incidents of drone bombings and missile attacks, which, they alleged, were carried out by Kuki terrorists.
The protestors described the current situation in the valley as akin to being “trapped in a cage,” pointing to government negligence as the primary reason for their discontent and demanding immediate action.
The charter of demands submitted by the students includes the removal of the DGP and the security advisor, the withdrawal of CAPF, a final stand announcement from the 50 legislators or their resignation, an end to what they call a central proxy war against the Meetei community, or allowing Manipur to decide its own fate.
ALSO READ: Manipur: Protests held in Imphal against authorities’ inaction
“Manipur had enough! We can’t tolerate anymore. If the state continues to fail in protecting the lives and properties of the Meeteis/Meiteis, the students of Manipur will now unite and start to fight using every means at the front to save our future,” stated in the demands.
Amid the gathering at the gate of the Raj Bhavan, another group of students from the Tiddim Road side marched towards the chief minister’s bungalow to present similar demands directly to chief minister Biren.
It is noteworthy that, despite the high alert status of the Raj Bhavan area, security forces initially refrained from using force to disperse the protesting students until some students began attacking the gates of the Raj Bhavan.
As night falls over Imphal, the situation remains volatile, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.
