Imphal, June 7: Police today foiled public meeting attempt by Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) at Thoubal Mela ground today as district administration has imposed CrPC 144 at the area. Festoon, chairs and arrangement prepared by the KSA to hold the public meeting at Thoubal Mela Ground today morning were taken in the custody by a team of Thoubal police.
The KSA was trying to organize the meeting in protest against the arrest of 5 student volunteers including its general secretary S Bidyananda for seizing adulterated salt from two shops run by non local traders on May 27. The KSA volunteers have been detained in judicial custody.
As the meeting bid has been foiled by the police the student volunteers of KSA then took out a protest rally from Thoubal College and marched towards Thoubal Keithel site at around 1 pm today. As the rally reached Main road, a group of state police prevented them from crossing beyond Waikhom Mani Girl College, Thoubal. The Student then requested the police team saying the rally will be peaceful and no sort of violent activities will be carried out. The police team after a brief confrontation later allowed the student to stage the rally till Thoubal Bridge. At Thoubal Bridge another team of state police led by Additional SP Modhunimai prevented the student from crossing beyond on the ground that district administration had imposed prohibitions under CrPC -144 beyond that bridge.
Later, the student turned back and convened a press conference at Thoubal College. Speaking on the occasion Vice president of KSA Thoubal Unit Khangembam Suraj said that government is inviting more trouble by arresting the student volunteers who had been checking the adulteration of food items. He said the KSA along with other civil society organization will continue intense form of agitation if the 5 volunteers of the KSA are not released unconditionally.
“Is the Manipur Government representing the center or for the people of the state?” the student body questioned.
The students’ body said that the provision granted by Indian constitution to minority to safeguard its distinct culture, identity and tradition should be translated into action giving assent to the 3 Bills. The Manipuri Students Fraternity, Aligarh Muslim University said that it will take part to the agitation for protection of the indigenous people in Manipur until the 3 ILPS related Bills get approval.
