GUWAHATI: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) organised massive protests in the seven Northeastern states on Thursday, demanding an immediate end to the six-month-long violence plaguing Manipur.
Members of the apex body representing eight students’ associations in the region, conducted various forms of protests, including sit-ins, marches, and silent demonstrations in all the seven states of the Northeast.
The students’ body also took the occasion to criticise the central government for what they perceived as a “blind-eye” approach to the ongoing violence.
The protests underscored their dissatisfaction with the Centre’s handling of the strife in Manipur and demanded that it addresses the situation efficiently to protect the lives and property of the people affected, with special attention to the future prospects of students.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), a member of NESO, organised a one-day demonstration at the NEFA club building in Itanagar. During the demonstration, Bengia Pilia, Vice-President of AAPSU, and Pritam Sonam, IPR Secretary of NESO, conveyed their deep concerns about the ongoing violence in Manipur to the press.
Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong, also witnessed a protest organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) at the Fire Brigade Ground. Speaking about the demonstration, NESO chairman, Samuel Jyrwa, condemned the ethnic clashes and expressed his deep concern about the intensity of the conflict in Manipur.
“We do agree that there were ethnic clashes in Manipur before also, but the intensity of the conflict now is something which we cannot imagine, that we can have so much hatred among each other. It is very sad to know that our very own people are fighting among themselves,” he told the press.
In Tripura, the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) held a sit-in demonstration demanding lasting peace in Manipur, while in Nagaland, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) demonstrated near the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.
Meanwhile, in Manipur itself, the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) organised a sit-in protest at Keishampat Leimajam Lekai in Imphal.
In Assam, NESO, in collaboration with the All Assam Student Union (AASU), staged a protest at Swahid Nyas Bhawan in Guwahati, demanding the immediate restoration of peace in Manipur.
In Mizoram, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) organised a demonstration at Vanapa Hall in Aizawl.
