Imphal: Thousands of students took out protest rallies in different parts of the state on Thursday defying curfew.
Students had been carrying out protests for the third day and about 200 students were injured in the first two days of protest.
Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi were murdered by Kuki militants after they were abducted on July 6 and the details of the gory murder were revealed on Sep 25 in some leaked photographs according to family members of the two school students. The rallies on the third day passed off peacefully as they were allowed to carry out their protest march.
Rapid Action Force, Manipur Police and other security personnel were condemned for using brute force on the students who were carrying out protest rallies. Rubber bullets, tear gas shells, pellets and other weapons were used on the young students which angered Chief Minister N Biren Singh, political parties, student bodies and civil societies. Many persons who helped the students reach hospitals were also beaten up by Rapid Action Force personnel. The protestors also burnt some vehicles parked at the DC Office, Imphal West and attacked the office of BJP, Thoubal on Wednesday night.
The students said they were marching peacefully and they were caught by the security personnel and beaten in a gruesome manner. Most of the hospitals in Imphal were packed with students who were injured. A student lost his vision, and over 60 students received head injuries due to assault. The third day was different, the students said as Manipur Police personnel were guarding them and allowed them to peacefully stage the rally. Manipur Police personnel also provided water to the students.
Manipur BJP president A Sarda Devi said it was natural for students to protest after seeing the photos of the two innocent students after murdering them by Kuki militants. She said security personnel should not have such brute force on the students. Coordinating Committee of 30 Assembly Constituencies chairman, Kh Indrajit said such actions on students were unpardonable.
Manipuri film actor Rajkumar Kaiku has also announced his resignation from the primary membership of the BJP over the failure of the BJP government to control the crisis.
Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) chairperson Salam Ulka issued a statement condemning the assault on students, mostly female students, using brute force. MSCW has asked security personnel to use water cannons instead of tear gas shells, and smoke bombs to disperse student protesters in the future.
