IMPHAL: Aspiring NEET students in Manipur staged a sit-in protest in Keishampat, Imphal, on Friday, demanding the immediate lifting of the government-imposed internet ban. In addition, the protesting aspirants also sought justice for two students who were recently killed amid the violent protests in the state.
As per reports, the protest was jointly organized by six prominent student organizations of the state to oppose the Manipur government's handling of the recent killings of two teenage students and the alleged excessive use of force against protesters in the Imphal area.
Festoons at the protest site displayed slogans such as "Stop abusive crackdown on unarmed students" and "Kuki terrorist root out." Protesters held placards with messages like "We want the freedom to protest against injustice," "No to mental harassment," and "implement NRC immediately."
A female student leader at the protest expressed concerns about the internet suspension, which has caused anxiety among students preparing for the upcoming NEET exams. The state government had imposed the internet ban until October 1, citing the prevailing law and order situation.
The six student bodies leading the protests are the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK), and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS). They are demanding swift justice for the slain students, Phijam Hemanjint and Hijam Linthoingambi, who were allegedly murdered by Kuki militants in southern Manipur in the first week of July. During the security crackdown, over 200 student protesters sustained injuries, some of them serious.
Meanwhile, taking cognizance of reports about allegations of use of ‘excess force’ by security forces during the maintenance of law and order in the last few days in the Imphal area, Director General of Police Manipur Rajiv Singh on Thursday ordered to form a committee to look into the issues and asked it to submit a report at the earliest.
“There have been various reports/allegations of the use of excess force by the Security forces during the maintenance of law & order situations in the last few days in the Imphal area. To verify such complaints/allegations, a committee is being formed to look into the issues and submit the report at the earliest,” read the order issued by the Director General Of Police Manipur on Thursday.
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