Dimapur, February 25 (MExN): The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), representing eight major student movements in the region, strongly condemns the bomb blast that occurred on February 23 near the office of the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) located at DM University Campus, Thangmeiband, Imphal.
The incident resulted in the death of Oinam Kenejy, a student of DM College, and serious injury to another student, Salam Michael, it said.
In a joint statement received here, NESO, comprising the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), expressed serious concern about the subsequent events.
These include the burning of the office of a prominent social organization like the UCM, the destruction of the Macha Leima School, the vandaliding of other social organizations' offices, and the ransacking and vandalising of the residence of Sinam Prakash, the Advisor of NESO, it added. The statement highlighted that AMSU, as a premier Students’ Organisation, has always maintained a non-political identity and has never condoned violence in any form.
However, it stressed the importance for the general public to guide and ensure that AMSU continues to remain a non-political organization committed to non-violent methods of movement.
The events have caused confusion and fear among students and the general public, the statement added.
In a call for calm and restoration of normalcy, NESO urged the government to address the situation seriously, maintain law and order, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The government is also strongly urged to continue the ongoing peace process and initiate dialogue with all other Armed Groups for a political solution acceptable to all, for the protection and uplift of the indigenous people of Manipur, leading to lasting peace.
The statement issued by NESO's Chairman Samuel B Jyrwa and Secretary-General Mutsikhoyo Yhobu pointed out that last year, it initiated a peace mission during the violence in Manipur, and it will continue this peace mission. NESO believes all concerned stakeholders should take cognizance and support the initiative for peace in Manipur, it added.
