Manipur violence: Student protests leave 150 injured, hospitalised

In a massive protest that swept through various valley areas of Manipur on September 27, the student community united in their demand for justice, resulting in as many as 150 students being injured and subsequently admitted to different hospitals.

According to initial reports, the numbers of injured students admitted to various medical facilities are as follows: New Advance Hospital - 51, Thoubal District Hospital - 12, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences - 4, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences - 60, and Raj Medicity - 20. These figures are accurate as of the time of filing this news report.

The day began with thousands of students from Manipur converging near the Chief Minister's residence in Babupara, Imphal West, to demand justice for two fellow students allegedly killed by Kuki militants. What started as a peaceful protest took a tense turn when state and central security forces blocked the students' path and resorted to using tear gas to disperse the crowd.

While government officials proposed a dialogue to address the situation, emotions ran high among the students who insisted on direct engagement with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to have their grievances heard.

Chants of "We Want Justice" and "Long Live Manipur" resonated through the crowd as the students decided to block National Highway 102, underscoring their determination to seek justice for the missing students. Questions were raised about the Chief Minister's actions during the months when the students were unaccounted for, fueling anger and frustration among the protestors.

The situation took a dire turn when the police deployed a water cannon vehicle and fired tear gas, prompting the students to respond with projectiles. What initially began as a peaceful protest had now escalated into a pitched street battle, marking a critical juncture in the unfolding events.

The students' demands extended beyond seeking justice for their missing peers; they called upon Chief Minister Biren to travel to Delhi to resolve the ongoing crisis and to lift the internet ban that had hindered academic activities. The lack of concrete assurances during a meeting with student representatives deepened mistrust, leading to vows of continued protests and closed educational institutions until the remains of the missing students are recovered.