Protest demanding release of ATSUM leaders turn violent in Imphal; students injured

The 5 arrested All Tribal Students Union Manipur leaders who were once again produced in court today have been sent to 15-day judicial custody.

The ATSUM leaders were produced before the CJM court in Imphal West after their 4-day police remand ended.

So, amid protests demanding unconditional release of the 5 arrested ATSUM leaders, the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West today remanded the leaders to 15-day judicial custody.

Interestingly, the counsels of the accused did not object to the prayer for judicial custody remand.

The IO submitted that the shutdown or bandh in the hill areas notified by the ATSUM has taken an ugly turn as they have converted the bandh into an economic blockade and adopted violence as means of protest.

It was also argued that the associates of the accused set ablaze the DTO office at Churachandpur and a police vehicle belonging to Ukhrul police thereby vandalizing government property.

Meanwhile, Heingang Police Station also sought permission from the judge for the formal arrest of the five accused in connection with another FIR registered against the accused for similar offenses of calling bandh/ economic blockade and obstructing the movement of vehicles.

The court observed that multiple FIRs cannot be registered for the same offenses against the accused and rejected the permission for formal arrest. The court however said that the police can go ahead with the necessary investigation without arresting them.

It may be mentioned here that an economic blockade along the national highways is still underway.

It may be mentioned that the ATSUM has been demanding the immediate release of its leaders besides tabling the Hill Areas ADC bill 2021.

Meanwhile, following the 15-day judicial custody remand, the All Tribal Students Union Manipur is gearing up to intensify its protest.

Speaking to Northeast Live ATSUM executive member Paul Karang said the intense forms of agitation will continue till the time their leaders are released.

He also informed that an emergency rally of the union will be convened tomorrow to take a call on the peaceful rally that was thwarted by the police today.

Not only this, but the ATSUM has also convened a consultative meeting of all tribal CSO leaders at Senapati on Monday.

The ATSUM has also written to the Chairman and members of the Hill Areas Committee to make clear their political stand on the HAC recommended ADC bill 2021 and the recent Manipur (Hill Areas) district councils’ 6th and 7th amendment bill 2022 which it termed as imposed and controversial.

So the ATSUM has now asked the HAC to make its stand clear on the 2021 bill that was recommended by it.