Manipur: Students protest erupts over govt’s failure to address violence in state
Guwahati: In defiance of the government’s pre-emptive closure of educational institutions to curb the escalating violence, which intensified on September 1 following the drone attacks by suspected militants in Manipur’s foothills, hundreds of higher secondary and junior college students on Monday (September 9, 2024) staged a protest at the Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
The students, dressed in their school uniforms, breached security cordons to demand a resolution to the ongoing conflict between the two warring communities, that erupted on May 3, 2023.
The students, voicing their anger and frustration, sought a meeting with Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister N Biren Singh, demanding immediate action.
The students called for removal of the security advisor and the state police chief accusing them of failing to protect civilians and contain the violence.
They also criticised the central paramilitary forces deployed in the state, alleging they have been ineffective and have stood as “mute spectators” while the valley’s periphery continues to be bombed using drones and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) launched from the hills.
The students issued an ultimatum, calling for the resignation of all 50 MLAs in Manipur on moral grounds if they are unable to safeguard the people they represent.
They also demanded the control of unified command be returned to the people’s representatives, urging the Union government to halt what they described as a “proxy war” against the Meitei community.
Tensions escalated when a group of agitated students gathered in front of the Raj Bhavan gate, demanding an audience with the Governor.
The situation turned violent after a military truck attempted to push through the peaceful demonstration at the gate, angering the students.
This led to stone-pelting and throwing of bottles at the security personnel guarding the premises.
To disperse the crowd, security forces resorted to lathicharge, firing tear gas shells, and mock bomb shelling, resulting in injuries to several students.
The scene remained tense, with both sides locked in a standoff until the intervention of higher authorities.
Later, Chief Minister Singh met with a delegation of students, listened to their demands, and assured them that their concerns would be forwarded to the Central government.
The meeting brought the situation under control, but the students remained firm in their demands, calling for accountability and swift action to end the violence that has paralysed the state for months.