Cops, students clash in Manipur over ILP

IMPHAL: Police on Thursday resorted to lathicharge and tear gas to disperse a large number of agitating students who attempted to forcibly enter the state assembly. The protesting students want introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur. Some students, including girls from DM College, were injured in the fracas. The college is located near the state assembly complex where the monsoon session is underway.

Under the aegis of the students' wing of the Joint Coordination on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), students belonging to different institutions have launched various forms of protests in the valley districts since the last few days.

JCILPS, an umbrella organization of several civil bodies of the state, has been leading the protracted ILP campaign to ostensibly save the identity, culture, tradition and existence of indigenous Manipuri people. The massive students' movement has forced the government to deploy police in and around the assembly complex and other key areas, including the private residences of ministers and MLAs.

Around noon on Thursday, many DM College students attempted to enter the assembly complex, but were blocked by police at the college's western gate in the Thangmeiband area. Things spiraled out of control and police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas, rubber bullets and mock bombs to dissuade the students.

The situation was later brought under control by cops who took the injured students to a nearby hospital, even as local elders condemned police action against the students.

Around the same time, students of a private school protested at the private residence of a Congress MLA in the Kwakeithel area. They were, however, driven to their school by police. Students of TG higher secondary school also attempted to take out a rally, but police foiled their plans.

In a confrontation triggered on Wednesday at Johnstone higher secondary school in the heart of Imphal, around 30 students and a police commando were injured. Some doors and windows of the school were also broken.