Students rally for disturbance-free education in Manipur’s valley districts

IMPHAL — Hundreds of students, teachers, and student leaders protested across four valley districts in Manipur, marking the 18th Disturbance-Free Education Zone Demand Day.

The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), in collaboration with 15 other civil society organisations, observed the day on the common theme ‘Make education a disturbance-free zone.’

In Imphal, students in school uniforms, carrying placards and banners, rallied through Imphal's busy streets, demanding peace in educational zones and advocating for quality, accessible, and uninterrupted learning.

The rally began at Thangmeiband Athletic Union ground and ended at Imphal College premises.

Normal traffic was affected for a brief period during the course of the day’s rally in Imphal.

Similar rallies were also held in Kakching and Thoubal districts, starting from BASU ground and ending at Thoubal College, and in Bishnupur district, from DSA Ground to Echo Club Thiyam Leikai community hall.

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Speaking to the media, convenor of Coordinating Committee on Disturbance-Free Educational Demand Committee and DESAM president, Mayengbam Somorjit, stated that the day commemorates a 2008 rally that demanded education be a disturbance-free zone, and the main objective remains ensuring uninterrupted education.

They also urged the government to enact necessary legislation so as to help and safeguard students’ learning opportunities in all educational institutions, particularly in times of prolonged unrest or crisis.

Stolen vehicles recovered

Manipur police recovered four stolen vehicles-a Mahindra Bolero, blue Maruti Suzuki Fronx, silver Maruti Suzuki Swift, and black TATA Xenon-from Lilong Turel Ahanbi area in Thoubal district on Friday.

Sharing the information on X, Manipur police on Saturday wrote, “Except for the TATA Xenon whose owner remains unknown, a formal process for handing over the other three vehicles to their rightful owners has been initiated.”

Manipur Police also issued 59 challans to motor vehicle offenders, totalling INR 94,500, and removed tinted films from 21 vehicles during a special vehicle drive on Friday.

Further, on Friday, police also recovered arms and explosives in Imphal West's Chanbirok hill area, including a modified bolt-action rifle, 9mm carbine submachine gun, hand grenade, helmet, rifle magazines, INSAS rifle ammunition, and IEDs.