Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said that legal action will be initiated against any student if he or she indulges in violent activities.
Biren Singh also warned the students not to resort to violence during the protest. On September 30, students of Manipur University protested against the serving show cause notice to one of its assistant professors by the university authority for criticizing legalization of liquor.
In another incident, students of various colleges who erupted in anger against the postponement of elections to the college students’ union had strongly protested.
Related | Students protest after Manipur University Prof served show cause notice
They also came out on the streets and blocked roads, disturbing the normal traffic. In some video footage that went viral on social media, agitating students were seen stopping passersby during the protest. Talking to reporters on the sideline of a National Cleanliness Day observance in Imphal today, the chief minister said that the government does not take students indulging in vandalism lightly. Appropriate legal action will be initiated against them, he warned.
He also said, “The main weakness of our society is groupism. Instead of working in unity, if we continue to work by dividing groups, we will not be able to move forward in all fields.” The state government is well aware of the importance of students’ unions. However, the leadership of the unions appear to be working with vested interests, he added.
As students, they should concentrate on the issues related with the student community and they should not go beyond it, Biren also said. The students should stop interfering to other’s activities, the chief minister further said. The state government has been restraining in initiating legal actions such as lodging FIR cases against the students, particularly leaders considering their future careers.
“But if they continue to indulge in such activities, the government will not remain silent. Cases will be taken up against them and it will affect their future careers,” he said.
Biren also said that students should know that the state government is observing closely their activities, whether they are working under whose guidance or nexus with the outlawed groups.
“If one is found working at the behest of the outlawed organizations, it will affect their future careers, particularly in joining government service,” he reiterated.
NNN