Thousands of students gathered in front of the Manipur Secretariat and Raj Bhavan, protesting recent drone and missile attacks and calling for the protection of the state’s territorial and administrative integrity, PTI reported. The protest follows a fresh wave of violence that has claimed at least eight lives and injured over 12 people.
Chanting slogans such as “Long Live Manipur,” “Resign all incompetent MLAs,” and “Give Unified Command to State Government,” the students expressed their frustration with the authorities’ response to the ongoing unrest. Student representatives met with officials, presenting six key demands, including the removal of the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Security Advisor, whom they accuse of failing to control the violence.
The students also called for the transfer of the Unified Command from the Home Ministry to the state government. The Unified Command, currently led by former CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh, oversees security operations in Manipur.
On Sunday, during a meeting with Governor Anusuiya Uikey, the state government reiterated its demand for control of the Unified Command. College student M. Sanathoi Chanu, who participated in the discussions, stated, “We want to study freely without disruptions. We urged the Chief Minister to end the conflict as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, in Thoubal district, students in uniform held a rally demanding the protection of the state’s territorial integrity, while in Kakching district, thousands of locals protested the recent civilian killings by suspected Kuki militants. Protesters also called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, urging the state to take decisive action.