Ukhrul, Dec 6: Tribal students in Manipur protested on Friday demanding scholarship disbursal under the National Scholarship Portal for the academic year 2023-24. The agitation, led by the All Colleges Tribal Students Union, turned violent near GP Women’s College in Imphal, forcing security forces to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse the agitators.
The protest began with students gathering in front of the college to voice their frustrations over delayed scholarship disbursal which they consider vital for their education and livelihood. The students demanded immediate action from the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department and called for accountability.
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Tensions escalated when Imphal West Police and CRPF personnel intercepted the protestors near TG Higher Secondary School to prevent them from marching further. Clashes ensued and tear gas shells were fired to control the situation.
Following the escalation, IG Themthing Ngasangva arrived with additional police personnel to restore order. However, no injuries were reported during the incident at the time of filing this report.
Additional Director of Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, ST Rithung, later met with the protesting students and assured them of addressing their demands promptly. Nonetheless, the assurances failed to quell the agitating students who continued to insist on concrete action and timelines.
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Broader Grievances in Focus
The agitation is part of a larger dissatisfaction with the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department. On Thursday, the Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs Manipur (FATYCM) and Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long accused the government of denying hilly residents access to various schemes since 2020. Speaking at the Manipur Press Club, Yarchuiso Kashung, President of Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long, stressed the urgency of providing pending scholarships by December, urging the government to act before Christmas.
Additionally, the Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) announced widespread protests starting December 13 urging the state to address their demands.
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Speaking to the media on December 2 at Manipur Press Club, TYCM General Secretary Robert Golmei criticized the government for neglecting appeals to improve infrastructure and fill vacancies in offices including the Directorate of Tribal Affairs & Hills, the Tribal Research Institute, and the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes. He noted that multiple ultimatums submitted in October and November have gone unheeded, leaving no option but to escalate their protests.
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