Bandh by students throws life out of gear in Imphal

Imphal (Manipur), September 27, 2018:

Normal life in Manipur’s Imphal Valley was severely affected on Thursday during the 48-hour bandh called by some students’ bodies, led by All Manipur Students’ Union, demanding the release of arrested students and teachers of Manipur University.

According to reports reaching here, commercial establishments and educational institutes remained closed while vehicles, except those belonging to security personnel and on emergency service, were off the roads. The otherwise busy Imphal city wore a deserted look during the bandh.

Over 90 students and six teachers were arrested in a midnight raid on the varsity campus recently for allegedly torturing the VC in-charge and the registrar in-charge. Fearing trouble, the state government on Thursday fanned out security personnel across Imphal city.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh had on Wednesday appealed to the students’ organisations to call off the bandh stating his government was ready for talks.

“The present government is for the welfare of people and will save the sanctity of Manipur University,” Singh had said and appealed to people to make a collective effort in restoring normalcy and peaceful academic environment in Manipur University.