IT News
Imphal, Aug 6:
The five leaders of the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM), arrested for conspiring the imposition of economic blockade along the National Highways, were sent to judicial custody for 15 days by the Chief Judicial Magistrate today.
President of ATSUM Paotinthang Lupheng, General Secretary SR. Andria , Information Secretary Khaiminlien Doungel, Forest Secretary S Marangkhai, and H. Pumlemte were invited for a talk in connection with the 24-hour proposed bandh in connection with the demand for the passing of the amended ADC Bill by Imphal West DC on August 2. A team of state police picked them up from their office at around noon on the day. Later, they were declared arrested in the evening and remanded in police custody for three days. Following that, the economic blockade announced to begin from 6 pm of August 3 began immediately at National Highways.
Also Read: ATSUM leaders summoned ahead of the 24 hour bandh from tomorrow
Police produced all 5 ATSUM leaders before the Chief Judicial Magistrate this afternoon and later sent them to judicial custody for 15 days.
Meanwhile, at around 10.30 am this morning, a large number of tribal students staged a protest rally in Chingmeirong area in front of LMS Law College towards Khuman Lampak area. The protest was, however, dispersed by a large number of the police force. The students then turned hostile and even stopped vehicular movement.
At least 30 tribal students were reported injured when police tried to disperse the student gathered at Chingmeirong in Imphal West for a peaceful rally by throwing tear gas and lathi charges.
At around 10:30 am, hundreds of tribal students studying in various colleges and universities in Imphal assembled at the Mao-Imphal market shed for a peaceful protest demanding to release immediately the five tribal student leaders arrested by Manipur Police.
However, a clash broke out when the police tried to disperse the protestors before they began the peaceful protest. Later, the student protestors tried to march toward the Manipur Legislative Assembly, but they were stopped by the police.
Another clash occurred between the student protestors and police near MBC Memorial Ground, where they pelted stones at each other.
On the other hand, the economic blockade along the National Highways has intensified following intimidation by an organisation called Meitei Leepun, in addition to the arrest of the tribal student leaders.
It may be mentioned that Minister for Tribal Affairs and Hills department Letpao Haokip had tabled the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (sixth amendment) Bill 2022 on the last day of the budget session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, while the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (seventh amendment) Bill 2022 was referred to HAC for further discussion, stating that there is some technical error and it requires further examination.