Tensions remain high in Manipur after a day of clashes between students and security forces. On Wednesday, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who holds the additional charge of Manipur, left Imphal for Guwahati, just a day after students protested outside the Raj Bhavan, demanding the removal of the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) and security advisor.
The students, frustrated by the ongoing ethnic violence and the perceived lack of action by authorities, attempted to reach the Raj Bhavan, the governor’s residence, on Tuesday. Security forces responded by firing tear gas shells and deploying additional forces to quell the protests. More than 55 students and security personnel were injured in the clashes.
The unrest prompted Manipur University to postpone all postgraduate and undergraduate examinations until further notice. The university’s notification stated that rescheduled exam dates would be announced soon.
Hours before leaving Imphal, Governor Acharya met with 11 student representatives on Tuesday evening. While no fresh protests or violence were reported in the Imphal Valley on Wednesday, security remains tight in the capital city, with a curfew in place and internet services suspended.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh met with students from Imphal College and Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School. He assured them that his government was committed to addressing their concerns about the unrest and its impact on their education. He also pledged justice for those killed in recent drone attacks, stating that it would be delivered even if it took time.
The recent violence in Manipur has involved the use of drones and rockets, highlighting the escalation of tensions between ethnic groups. The students’ protests reflect their frustration with the state government’s perceived inability to control the situation and restore peace.
