Students of Manipur University

Manipur

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on 3^rd October, regarding:

1. Heavy deployment of security forces in the campus of Manipur University;

2. Firing of numerous rounds of tear gas shells, mock bombs and live bullets, into the hostel rooms;

3. Arbitrary arrest, illegal detention, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment of arrested students and professors.

In the evening of September 20, 2018, a small group of students were gathered in the traffic island of MU to discuss the emerging situation following the Pro-VC’s attempt to takeover, but the police dispersed the gathering and the students ran helter-sketcher. After midnight at around 12.15 AM of September 21, 2018, the students were shocked to see a large number of security forces walking inside their hostels in search of the office bearers of Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU). Even the girl’s hostels were not spared, causing much panic and chaos. The security forces used excessive force and destroyed hostel properties such as doors, windows, etc. to carry out their pre-planned surgical strike. The students resisted the security forces from entering their respective hostels without permission from hostel authorities. Scuffle ensued between the students and security forces. The security forces resorted to shelling of tear gas shells, mock bombs and even live bullets. Many students were subjected to torture, inhumane and degrading treatments. One Additional SP of Imphal West District Mr. Hemanta of Manipur Police was even caught red handed when he was trying to plant a gun on the bed of Mr. Bisheshwar, MUSU counselor of Department of Mathematics, in Hostel no 5.

A large number of panic stricken students spontaneously assembled near the traffic island of MU. The security forces retaliated again with another round of tear gas shells to disperse the peaceful assembly. The helpless students had to frenzy inside their hostel campus. The security forces carried out another round of combing operation at boy’s hostels 1,2,3,4 and 5 at around 3:30 am. The police action continued till dawn. The students were not allowed to buy medicine or seek medical attention of the injuries sustained in the scuffle. It was only around 2 PM that ambulance was allowed inside the MU campus to ferry the injured students.

HRDA prayed for thorough investigation and to take immediate actions on the perpetrators of the case.