Students in Imphal injured in police crackdown

Several students holding a demonstration to demand a special session of the Manipur Assembly to pass an anti-migrant bill were injured here on Friday in when police resorted to firing tear gas shells.

Some of the injured students were rushed to hospital.

The monsoon session which had just two sittings was adjourned sine die on Monday without passing the bill.

On Friday the government announced that all schools, colleges, government offices, banks and other commercial institutes, law courts shall be closed on September 13 on the occasion of the Muslim religious festival.

This was not included in the government holiday list.

Sources said the government is declaring the holiday in a bid to derail the students' campaign.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said, "The government is committed to passing the bill to regulate the entry of the migrants to Manipur. We had drafted a bill and nearly 100 opinions and suggestions were received."

The Inner Line Permit activists had submitted a draft bill. After examining it the government said it shall invite public opinion.

For passing the bill the government was to summon a special session to pass it. In line with this demand the students' wing of the JCILPS has been agitating.

Tribals in Manipur oppose all "anti-tribal bills". They have been refusing to bury the nine bodies of the agitationists killed while protesting against the bills passed by the Manipur Assembly on August 31,2015.

Since Manipur goes to polls in February next year observers feel there is no time for passing the proposed bill and obtain assent of the Governor and the President.

--IANS

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