Demanding unconditional and immediate release of all the arrested students and teachers of Manipur University (MU) and also to bring normalcy in the university, six students bodies of Manipur have jointly called a 48-hour statewide bandh from the midnight of September 26 till midnight of September 28.
Also read: Midnight raid in Manipur University, professors & students detained
President Manjit Sarangthem of All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) representing the six students’ bodies made an announcement during a press conference at the office of the AMSU, sources said on Tuesday.
He said they are compelled to call the bandh after the concerned authorities failed to pay attention to their demands.
The students’ bodies are All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students Federation, Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, Kangleipak Students Association, Students’ Union of Kangleipak and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup.
Manjit said the students’ community is now demanding immediate withdrawal of the security forces currently deployed inside the University campus and restoration of normalcy and subsequent academic atmosphere in the varsity campus.
Denouncing the police action at the boy’s hostels of the university on the intervening night of September 20 and 21 where many students were picked up, the AMSU leader said that the situation has badly disturbed the academic atmosphere of the University besides affecting the minds of the students who are taking the on-going semester examination.
It may be noted that the semester examination of the University has been postponed until further orders in view of the ongoing situation in the university.
The student leader also informed that the agitation of Manipur University which started on May 30, was temporarily suspended after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Manipur University community, State Government and Ministry of Human Resources Development on August 16 and resumed its normal activities from August 23 last.
Charging that the authorities concerned have violated the MOA, he also alleged that dishonoring of the agreement is an insult to the University community and people of the State.