Three persons, including a police officer were injured in Imphal on Friday during a face-off over the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
Several students including girls who are members of six students' bodies took out demonstrations in small batches and marched towards the three markets exclusively run by women. Hundreds of women vendors too came out in support. They obstructed traffic and shouted slogans when the police tried to disperse them.
Police fired tear gas canisters and mock bombs to quell the protestors. Two persons and O. Joyraj, sub divisisonal police officer of Imphal west district sustained injuries during the face-off. Hospital sources said the injuries weree not worrisome.
Manjit Sarangthem, president, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) said students of the Northeastern region are against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2018, since the small, indigenous population will be swamped. “Political parties should also stop confusing the situation by trading charges and countercharges,” he said.
Chief Minister N. Biren, some Ministers and BJP MLAs are camping in New Delhi to meet the Prime Minister to apprise him of the developments in Manipur over the passing of the contentious bill. On Thursday the State cabinet held an emergency meeting to urge the central leaders to give President's assent to the Manipur Peoples' (Protection) Bill, 2018. The BJP-led State government says that if the Bill gets the assent, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2018 shall not affect Manipur.
Stir to continue
Some agitating leaders said that they will continue the stir until the Bill is withdrawn.
A large number of police personnel in riot gear are deployed in all trouble-prone areas in and around Imphal to maintain law and order. Student activists said North eastern states will be most affected and will be “swamped by people from three foreign countries.’’
