Imphal: Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) along with Manipur University Teacher’s Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) organized a sit-in protest against the abduction, murder, and merciless torturing of two innocent students namely Hijam Linthoinganbi and Phijam Hemanjit. The protest was participated by more than 800 students in front of the Manipur University main gate.
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The sit-in protest was observed with a one-minute silence for all the people who lost their lives during the ongoing violence. The sit-in protest was observed for two hours (1:30 pm – 2:30 pm). The objectives of the peaceful protest comprising MUSU, MUTA, and MUSU are to build the strength of the indigenous community in the state, to bring justice for the brutal murder of the two innocent students, to implement NRC in the state, and condemnation of the action of the security forces. It also includes that there should be no separate administration within the state itself, to curb the entry of illegal immigrants into the state. And lastly to uphold the integrity of Manipur.
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Speaking to the media, MUTA President Prof I Gambhir Singh expressed that the peaceful rally which was carried out by students from various educational institutions against the murder of two innocent students was erratically turned into intolerable violence. Highly condemning the grievous act of the armed forces and the nature of casualty towards the students, he stated that students are unable to proceed with classes either online/offline affecting their careers. The brutal harassment by security personnel, which includes Manipur police and central security force has reportedly injured around 70 students out of which 10 are admitted to Shija Hospital and Raj Medicity for treatment. “We condemn the action meted out against the innocent students using pallet guns, mob bombs, tear gas, rubber bullets, stun bombs, etc. Therefore, the Manipur University Teachers’ Association appeals to the state and central forces to restrain the use of weapons in an unwanted manner,” he continued.
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He further appealed both the affected communities to prevail in peace and strife for normalcy so that students in the state can study and attend classes in the earliest way possible. He also appealed all the CSOs in the state of Manipur to work for peace and progress.
The president of MUSU, Thokchom Sonamani Singh condoled the death of the two innocent students and condemned the harsh atrocities of the armed forces against students. He also appealed to the government to bring justice tothe state and to peacefully hand over the dead bodies of the two students who were abducted on July 6 and murdered mercilessly.
The sit-in protest concluded with donations contributed by the University teachers, staff, and students for the victimized students.
