Manipur: Mass protest against CAB resumes

Students clash with security force personnel as anti-CAB protests resume in Imphal on November 18. (NNN Photo)

 

Newmai News Network 

Imphal | November 18

Students clashed with security force personnel in Imphal on Monday, the first day of mass protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB).

The clash erupted after the students who marched a rally towards Raj Bhavan after a sit-in-protest against CAB was blocked by the police backed by CRPF personnel at Keishampat Junction in Imphal.

No injury was reported in the clash which students organising the protest strongly condemned while accusing the security force of resorting to baton-charge to the students who were protesting in a “democratic” manner.

The security forces armed with riot gears pushed back the students till Keishampat Leimacham Leikai where the students began their protest with a sit-in-protest. The police then allowed some leaders of the students to proceed with them and submit a memorandum to the state Governor. The memorandum was addressing to the Prime Minister and the Union Home minister.

In the memorandum, the students expressed their dismay and displeasure while alleging that the government is intended to introduce the CAB in Parliament. It reminded that many states of NE have taken the "load of Hindu refugees" who have migrated due to the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, "and this CAB is again attempting to impose the burden of the post 1971 Hindu Bangladeshis in the entire NE region". The students further stated that NE is not a dumping ground for "illegal” immigrants.

Earlier, a large number of students staged a sit-in-protest at a community hall at Keishampat Leimacham Leikai under the aegis of the North East Students Organisation (NESO) and All Manipur Students Organisation (AMSU).
During the protest, placards with various slogans against CAB were displayed.

Talking to reporters, AMSU general secretary, Bipinchandra Ahanthem declared that the student bodies have always stood against CAB in the NE states. 

"If the Centre attempts to enact the CAB forcibly, then the people of NE states may consider a movement for self-determination,” he cautioned. 

Meanwhile, suspending their business of the day, vendors of all-women market in Imphal staged a mass sit-in-protest against CAB on the streets in front of their market complex.

During the protest, all shops and other business establishments at Khwairamband Bazar and its adjoining market places downed their shutters.

The women vendors staged the protest under the aegis of the Manipur People Against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (MANPAC), a constituent of the North East Forum for Indigenous Peoples (NEFIP).

Taking part in the protest, NEFIP president Ningthouha Lancha urged the people to understand the motive behind the Centre’s agenda of bringing back the CAB.

"The Centre’s plan has put the people of the state in a state of extreme anxiety as CAB is resurfacing," Ningthouja Lancha added.

Lancha then lambasted the state government of Manipur saying that it has failed to keep the assurance it had given to the people.