The Hindu : National : Manipur varsity students to intensify stir

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

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National

Manipur varsity students to intensify stir

By Our Correspondent

IMPHAL, JULY 27. The Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) will intensify the agitation for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur and punishment to the Assam Rifles personnel allegedly involved in the death of a woman, Thangjam Monorama. This was disclosed to The Hindu this morning by the MUSU president, Asajit Luwang, who is recuperating in the emergency ward of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, along with several other students.

`Police brutality'

Mr. Luwang said that about 80 students, including girls, had gone to the Raj Bhavan to launch a sit-in protest. However, without any warning, police commandos and some traffic policemen bashed them up, he alleged. Many of the students fainted and suffered fractures.

Soon after the incident, the Vice-Chancellor of the Manipur University, N. Bijoy, had visited the emergency wards to meet the students. He was outraged by the "police brutality." So far, no Minister had regretted the police "excesses." Condemning the "murderous attacks," Mr. Luwang said they were demanding the immediate suspension of the personnel involved. The Manipur Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, is in New Delhi consulting the Central leaders on the possibility of withdrawing the Act from Manipur. The Chief Minister in charge, Thoudam Devendra, said the Government had agreed in principle to withdraw the Act.

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