IMPHAL, JUNE 5: Several girl students of a school here were injured when they were allegedly beaten by police during protests on Saturday to press for release of two arrested students. Some of the students of the T.G. Higher Secondary school sustained fractures.
Angry students said that though policewomen were present, several policemen beat them. “After scaling the boundary wall, we escaped. However some policemen followed us,” said a student, also adding that police allegedly passed uncalled for remarks at the girl students.
The students are demanding the release of two students, Bruce and Vidyalakshmi. Women activists have condemned
the beatings of the girl students. Students of C.C. Higher Secondary school also took out a procession and later they burned an effigy of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
There were also sit-in protests condemning the attempts to deflect the people’s movement. Meanwhile, the College Students Council formed by ten colleges in Manipur disrupted the semester and university examinations for the release of the two students.
Two groups of students - one wanting to sit for the examinations and the other opposed - had come to D.M.College of Arts, and the first group were allowed to begin the exam, under police protection. However within minutes the other students rushed inside, snatched the answer sheets which were then thrown out of windows.
Examination began peacefully in the D.M.College of Sciences but were then disrupted. However, the agitating students went away when police assured them arrangements would be made for their meeting with top officials to talk about their demand.
The examination in D.M. College of Commerce was also disrupted. Principal T. Ibomcha said that new examinations will be held on the date the university fixes. College Students’ Council leaders said that their stir will continue till Bruce and Vidyalakshmi are released without conditions.
Manipur Police announces reward for ILP leader
The Manipur Police Department has announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh to any individual who may provide information leading to the arrest of Khomdram Ratan, convener of Joint Committee of Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS).
Manipur Police in a statement said a criminal case has been registered at Singjamei PS, Imphal West district against Khomdram Ratan (convener JCILPS) for being a member of banned outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and for indulging in prejudicial activities against the State, promoting social unrest and enmity among different groups of people living in Manipur in the recent past.
The police took the step after a photograph appeared in a national paper that showed the JCILPS leader holding a flag of the banned UNLF.
Meanwhile, Khomdram Ratan has dismissed the allegation and stated that the image was doctored to sabotage the movement to protect indigenous people. He said he never took part in any function of the UNLF.
