Students of Regular English High School, Kwakeithel in Imphal West district and Ningthoukhong Higher Secondary School in Bishnupur district staged a sit-in protest on Thursday against the continuing violence and humanitarian crisis in Manipur.
The protest followed the first phase of demonstrations held on May 13 and focused on the ongoing ethnic unrest, recent killings and the deteriorating security situation in the state.
The protesting students condemned the killing of civilians at Tronglaobi, the deaths of three villagers allegedly in CRPF firing while seeking justice, and the recent ambush at T.K. Kasom Khullen in which two Tangkhul civilians were killed. They also raised concern over continuing violence and militant activities in Kamjong district and other parts of the state.
During the protest, students displayed placards carrying slogans such as “Protect Our Land, Protect Ourselves,” “We Want Peace, We Want to Live,” “Stop State Terrorism,” and “Stop Proxy War and Killing of Civilians.”
The students alleged that the prolonged conflict since May 2023 had severely affected the education sector, economy, social harmony and political system of Manipur.
They demanded an immediate end to civilian killings, attacks and destruction of property, while warning that continued neglect of the people’s suffering and students’ voices could further intensify public unrest in the state.