Manipur students protest at Raj Bhavan as violence surges

Hundreds of enraged students clashed with police in Imphal following killing of a retired havildar and a woman as violence flared up in Manipur that has claimed 11 lives since Sept 1. The unrest escalated into large-scale protests, shifting the epicentre of violence to Manipur’s Raj Bhavan as students demanded action against those responsible and called for resignation of top officials. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters, leading to several injuries. Protesters retaliated by throwing stones, resulting in injuries to both police and security personnel. A security source confirmed that the body of ex-havildar Limkholal Mate, a resident of Motbung in Kangpokpi district, was found in Sekmai of Imphal West. He had entered Sekmai Sunday night and was suspected to have been beaten to death. Later that evening, the tribal village of Thangbuh in Kangpokpi was partially burned in an attack. During the assault, a woman identified as Nengjakhol Haokip was killed by bomb splinters, as miscreants targeted the village, prompting CRPF personnel to retaliate. In response to the deteriorating situation, Manipur govt ordered closure of schools and colleges for two days. However, students defied the shutdown, marching to Raj Bhavan, shouting slogans such as “Long Live Manipur” and “Resign all incompetent MLAs,” while demanding peace.