Centre declared Imphal as disturbed area : Several injured after students' protest rally in Imphal turns ugly

The students were partipating in a rally that started from Hau grounds of the state capital protesting the kidnapping and killing of two youths, who went missing in July and whose photographs went viral on social media recently

Students run away during a protest against the killing of two youths who were allegedly kidnapped in July, after the police fired tear gas shells and baton-charged the protestors, in Imphal on Tuesday. More than 30 students, mostly girls, were injured.: File picture

PTI, Imphal, 27.09.23 : Effective from October 1, 2023, the entire area of Manipur, excluding the 19 police stations, has been declared as a "Disturbed Area" for a period of six months

Several students were injured on Wednesday after security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse a stone-pelting mob in Imphal's Moirangkhom, about 200 metres from the CM's secretariat.

Effective from October 1, 2023, the entire area of #Manipur, excluding the 19 police stations, has been declared as a "Disturbed Area" for a period of six months: Govt Notification. pic.twitter.com/2Ho5WCy3UF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2023

The students were partipating in a rally that started from Hau grounds of the state capital protesting the kidnapping and killing of two youths, who went missing in July and whose photographs went viral on social media recently.

The students, raising slogans of "we want justice", were heading towards the Chief Minister Biren N Singh's bungalow, officials said.

Lanthengba, a student leader leading the rally told reporters, "We demand that the killers of the two students be arrested within 24 hours and their bodies be recovered for their last rites. We also want to meet the chief minister to address our grievances. How can we continue with our studies when our friends and classmates are being murdered in cold blood." Police tried to cool down tempers by announcing that "arrangements are being made to allow student representatives to meet both the chief minister and the governor." However, the situation suddenly turned ugly and some students started pelting stones prompting the security forces including RAF personnel to fire several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse them, officials said.

This comes a day after a clash between RAF personnel and locals left 45 protesters, mostly students, injured.

AFSPA extended in Manipur for 6 months from October 1 barring 19 police stations of valley

Hill areas of Manipur were again placed under the stringent Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act while 19 police stations mainly comprising areas in the valley have been kept out of its purview.

In an official notification issued on Wednesday, it was stated that "Governor of Manipur hereby accords approval to declare the entire state of Manipur excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations...as 'Disturbed Area' for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2023." The police station areas where the Disturbed Areas Act has not been imposed are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Pastol, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingagng, Lamlai, Iribung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakchin and Jirbam.