Cops foil students’ attempt to storm Imphal Raj Bhavan

A brief face-off between dozens of student protesters and the police in Imphal on Tuesday was subdued after leaders of the protesters were allowed to proceed and meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan.
Students of Churachand Higher Secondary School, Imphal were protesting against the alleged excessive meted out by the security forces while dealing with internally displaced persons (IDPs) who attempted to return to their abandoned villages at Dolaithabi in Imphal East district yesterday (Monday).
Further alleging that the security forces did not care for the students and fired tear gas shells towards a school bus with students on board, they marched toward the Raj Bhavan to lodge a complaint to the Governor.
It may be noted that at least four persons were injured in action by the security forces on hundreds of IDPs from relief camps at Sajiwa and Swombung in Imphal East who attempted to march towards their villages – Ekou, Yengkhuman, Dolaithabi, and Sadu Yengkhuman on Monday.
A strong police team intercepted the students marching toward the Raj Bhawan in front of Nupi Lal Complex, around 50 meters to reach the Governor’s residence.
When the students tried to proceed defying the restriction, the police fired at least two rounds of tear gas shells which led to a brief standoff.
After a brief standoff, the police eventually pushed the students all the way back to their school campus at Sanjenthong.
As the students demanded that they should be allowed to submit a memorandum to the Governor, the police finally allowed three of their leaders to proceed and submit the memorandum to the Governor.
In the memorandum, the students expressed strong resentment against the use of excessive force against IDPs attempting to return to their homes, stating that the IDPs languishing in the relief camps have long been waiting for resettlement.
The students further demanded strict action against the security forces that fired tear gas shells toward a school bus with students on board while alleging that students had a narrow escape.
Talking to the reporters, a student leader said that they could not get the chance to meet the Governor but submitted the memorandum to the officials of the Raj Bhavan.
He also condemned the government for hosting the Sangai Festival saying that it was “unfair” to hold the festival while thousands of IDPs languished at the relief camps with no hope of returning to their original homes.
He said that their stand against the festival was a call for the government to address the plight of displaced families urgently.
The rally concluded after security forces escorted the students back to their school.
Meanwhile, a protest on the streets at Wangkhei in Imphal East district today warned the authorities of the state government against hosting the traditional Hiyang Tanaba (boat race) at Thangapat in their locality as a part of the ongoing Sangai Festival 2025.
The protesters, holding placards and chanting slogans, declared that they would not allow hosting the traditional boat race at the Thangapat (water body) as the local residents were against the hosting of the 10-day tourism festival while the state continued to face a grave humanitarian crisis.
The protesters reiterated their solidarity with the ongoing boycott of the festival, accusing the authorities of prioritizing publicity and entertainment over the urgent needs of displaced families.
They pointed out that thousands of citizens, including women, children and the elderly, continued to live in camps and temporary shelters more than two years after the conflict began.