In a bold demonstration against the escalating violence in Manipur, thousands of students from various schools and colleges took to the streets on Monday, demanding urgent action to restore peace in the state. The protests took place in front of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and Raj Bhavan, highlighting the growing frustration among the youth.
Manipur Students Push for Peace Amid Persistent Unrest
The unrest in Manipur has entered a critical phase, with ethnic violence persisting for over a year and a half. On Monday, students donned their school and college uniforms, marching in unison to demand an end to the bloodshed. Holding placards and raising slogans like “Long Live Manipur” and “Resign All Incompetent MLAs,” the students voiced their discontent with the government’s handling of the crisis.
The demonstration, which saw a large turnout, aimed to bring attention to the need for territorial and administrative integrity in Manipur, urging both state and central authorities to take decisive action.
Meeting with CM Biren Singh and Governor Lakshman Acharya
In a significant move, student leaders were granted an audience with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. During the meetings, the students expressed their concerns about the escalating violence and its impact on their education and daily lives.
After meeting the students, Chief Minister Biren Singh took to social media to share his thoughts: “Had a fruitful meeting with the students of Imphal College and Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School at my Secretariat. They voiced their concerns regarding the ongoing disturbances in our state, and I truly value their input. We will work together to resolve these issues.”
The Governor also listened to the students’ concerns, assuring them that their demands for peace would be taken seriously and that steps would be taken to address the ongoing violence.
Students Demand Strong Action Against Armed Militants
During the protests, the students specifically called for action against those responsible for the violence, including the use of drones, remotely controlled bombs, and sophisticated weaponry to target innocent civilians. The recent spike in violence, which has claimed the lives of nine people, including women and elderly individuals, has intensified calls for justice.
The students also demanded the resignation of local MLAs, accusing them of incompetence in dealing with the ongoing ethnic crisis. “Give Unified Command Charge to the State Government” was one of the slogans heard during the demonstration, reflecting the students’ desire for more state control in addressing the conflict.
Anger Directed at Central and State Governments
The students did not hold back in expressing their anger towards both the central and state governments. They criticized the administration for what they described as “inept handling” of the ongoing ethnic violence, which has continued to devastate communities across the state.
One of the key demands raised by the students was the withdrawal of additional central forces deployed to maintain law and order. The students argued that the presence of these forces has done little to restore peace, with the conflict persisting despite their deployment.
As a result of the growing unrest and security concerns, the Manipur government’s Education Department announced the closure of all government, government-aided, and private schools across the state for two days. The closure, which took effect on Monday and Tuesday, is a reflection of the deepening crisis and the need for immediate intervention.
Escalation of Violence Sparks Fear Among Citizens
The situation in Manipur remains tense, with recent violence leaving more than 20 people injured. Suspected militants have continued to carry out attacks in various districts, prompting combined security forces, including the Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces, and Manipur police, to intensify their counter-insurgency operations.
Despite these efforts, there has been little progress in bringing about a lasting peace. The students, many of whom have been directly affected by the violence, are now demanding more effective measures to curb the unrest.
Future of Manipur at Stake as Students Lead the Charge for Peace
As the youth of Manipur take to the streets to demand change, their message is clear: the future of the state depends on immediate and effective action to restore peace. With educational institutions shuttered and violence continuing to spread, the need for decisive government intervention has never been greater.
Chief Minister Biren Singh and Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya have promised to listen to the concerns of the students, but only time will tell if their pleas for peace will lead to real change.
Security Forces Intensify Operations
In response to the escalating violence, combined security forces have ramped up their efforts to capture the militants responsible for the recent attacks. The Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces, and Manipur police have launched multiple counter-insurgency operations across the state, aiming to bring the situation under control.
However, students and civilians alike remain skeptical, questioning whether these efforts will be enough to restore peace to a region that has been embroiled in conflict for so long.
A Call for Unified Command and Resilience
As the protests continue, the people of Manipur are looking to their leaders for answers. The students’ demand for a Unified Command Charge reflects a growing belief that the state government must take a more active role in controlling the situation, rather than relying solely on central forces.
With the unrest showing no signs of slowing down, the people of Manipur are hoping that the government will take swift action to bring an end to the violence and restore normalcy to their lives.
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