IMPHAL: The president of the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Kongbrailatpam Haridev Sharma, along with a fellow student leader, was abducted by unidentified armed individuals from the Manipur University gate on the afternoon of February 20.
The incident unfolded as the two student leaders were returning home from a meeting at the university.
According to reports, Sharma is yet to be released, while the other student leader has been released in Phayeng village of Imphal West district.
As the community reels in shock, nine prominent women’s organisations, in solidarity with AMSU, have joined forces to demand the immediate release of the abducted student leader without any preconditions.
In a display of unity and resolve, a joint press conference was convened by 10 women’s organisations, including a student body, at the office of Nupi Samaj located at Lamphel, Imphal West on Tuesday.
Th. Devi, Convenor of All Manipur Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj), shared alarming information suggesting that the AMSU president was allegedly kidnapped by cadres of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P).
Apunba Manipur Kanba Lup (AMKIL) president Lourembam Nganbi, while addressing the press, also confirmed the abduction of the student.
“If the government fails to take necessary steps to stop such cases, then the womenfolk will consider the government as incompetent and might launch agitations,” she warned.
Till the time of writing this report, the UNLF-P has not claimed responsibility for the alleged abduction, leaving the community in a state of anxious anticipation.
Notably, the UNLF-P is currently engaged in peace talks with both the Centre and state government, raising questions about the motivations behind this alarming act.
As the safety and well-being of the abducted student leader hang in the balance, the community has called for swift action and justice.
