Imphal, October 29 2020: In a violent protest by Muslim students in Manipur, 3 persons were injured. Violence erupted at Hatta Minuthong and at Lilong during the 48 hours general strike called by the All Manipur Muslim Organisation and Pangal Students Union, DM University.
Three protesters were injured in the confrontation with the police today at Lilong.
Late in the evening, an agreement was reached after discussions with the Government and due to the prevailing situation and the coming by elections, PSU-DMU and AMMSO have decided to put on hold the agitation.
Another round of talk is scheduled on November 9.All major roads were blocked at Hatta, Lilong Bazar, Hiyangthang Tarahei, Sangaiyumpham, Kwakta, Mayang Imphal and Yairipok.
It may be noted that the organisations had called the general strike demanding 4 percent reserve seats for students belonging to Meitei Pangal community in higher education.
Police personnels were attacked due to heavy stone pelting
At Hatta Minuthong area, protesters burned tyres in the middle of the road and blocked the road. Police tried to pacify the protesters but things escalated with the protesters pelting stones at them. Police took cover at nearby houses.
The protesters also pelted stones at the vehicle of an ex-MLA and was not given passage. Meanwhile, AMMSO executive member Manoj Khan claimed that things at Hatta Minuthong area escalated when police used ‘foul’ language at them.
Supporters turned hostile and they not only stopped vehicular movement but pelted stone towards vehicles randomly.
Large number of police team led by SP Imphal East throng to the site and tried to control the situation with extra care to ensure that nobody got hurt.
The police team with baton and stone shield marching towards the general strike supporters showing intimidation to disperse the gathering strike supporters.
Manipur Police team led by the SP Imphal East shouting the strike enforcers to stop violence however, as the supporter pelted stones, the police force fired several round of tear gas shell to disperse the strike supporters.
On the other hand, AMMSO and PSU, DM University members met the Education Minister today evening but failed to come to an agreement.
In Bishnupur district, large number of bandh supporters came out early morning at Kwakta Terakhong and restricted vehicular movements in the area. Though police came to the protest site to pacify the situation, vehicular movements other than those coming to attend rituals were restricted by the bandh supporters.
Protest by Muslim students in Manipur demanding reservations
Speaking to media persons, advisor of AKSU, Umar Nongjai stated that the bandh was imposed as the Chief Minister failed to extend the 4 percent reservation given to Meitei Pangal to general courses (non-professional) of Higher Education within the stipulated deadline.
He then cautioned that different forms of agitation will be launched until a positive response comes from the Government.
On the other hand, Manipur University Muslim Welfare Association (MUMWA) has also drawn the attention of the State Government to extend the 4 percent reservation for Meitei Pangal to Higher Education at the earliest.
In a statement, MUMWA said that Meitei Pangals are socially,economically and educationally backward compared to other communities.
Saying that the 4 percent reservation is valid for professional courses and jobs only and the same benefit is not guaranteed in seeking admission to higher education, it continued that the literacy rate of Meitei Pangal is lower than the State average.
