stuin

Imphal | July 15 : Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has set July 14 as a deadline to release the five students detained under National Security Act (NSA) in connection with the assassination of Prof Islamuddin, Proctor, Manipur University. Failure to release the five students by the given deadline would lead to the imposition of general strike for 120 hours from July 15. It was stated in a press meet held on Monday at its office at Keishmpat, Imphal West today.
Addressing the press meet, L C Santosh, president of DESAM informed that after the 120-hour general strike if the government does not release the students then they would intensify the agitation. All the government establishments including the offices of the ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) would be boycotted, warned the president. Cautioning the dealers engaged in tent houses, water supply and water tanker, the president further informed to deter from supplying to the ministers, MLAs and all the government establishments. If anyone of them found supplying or hiring then they would be liable for any consequences, asserted the president. If the government is still apathetic despite all such agitations they would declare an emergency in the education department, stated L C Santosh. The president of DESAM further informed that the health department, religeous programmes and education institutions would be exempted during the 120-hour general strike.
Mention may be made that thirteen student leaders were arrested in the aftermath of the murder of the Manipur University professor on charges of being linked with militants. This, despite claimed by a state based militant outfit of its involvement behind the murder of the professor.
The incident brought up much stir and condemnation from student bodies across the state. Earlier, the DESAM had threatened a 120-hour strike should the state government failed to release the student leaders by June 2. However, eight of the thirteen leaders of Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) arrested were released on June 2 and therefore they had relaxed the general strike of 120-hour. However, five of the remaining student leaders were booked under National Security Act (NSA) and detained.