Mysterious death of Babysana Students confront police, sit-ins staged at many places

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 17 : A big scuffle took place between police personnel and stu-dents of Imphal College today, after police fired tear gas shells at a silent rally which was organised by the students.
Imphal College students organised the silent protest condemning the inaction of the State Government in solving the case of N Babysana's death.
Speaking to media persons, one of the college students condemned the act of using brute force by police personnel in their attempt to disperse the students participating in the silent rally from the college to Keishampat.
The police team turned a deaf ear when the students conveyed that they were on a silent rally and that they would return to the college after reaching Keishampat, the student claimed while adding that the police started firing tear gas shells at the students instead.
The student then sought support and solidarity from people of all localities and women vendors in pressing the authorities concerned to serve justice to Babysana, adding that this is the sole demand of the student community to the Government.
On the other hand, sit-in protests were organised at various parts of the State today, condemning the mysterious death of Ning-thoujam Babysana inside the hostel of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur, on  July 18 and demanding the authorities concerned to solve the case at the earliest.
Numerous associations of Khwairamband Keithel organised protests at the market today which was participated by women vendors in droves.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the protest, Manipur Keithel Phambi Apunba Lup president and advisor of Road Side Vendors' Welfare Association,  Laishram (o) Mema Devi said that even though the State Government assured to solve the case and punish the people involved, no positive development can be seen till date, which is  highly condemnable.
This failure of the Government shows that it has completely neglected the demand of the people, she alleged.
She then questioned the police department's statement regarding the cause of death and demanded the State Government to hand over the case to CBI instead.
On the other hand, members of Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak Youth Club, locals and Meira Paibis protested by demanding the police to arrest them also.
Tension shot up between the two sides but eventually the situation was brought under control and no one was arrested or detained. As a part of the protest, all the shops and business establishments in and around Khwairamband Keithel, including Thangal Bazaar, Paona Bazaar, Nagamapal and most areas of Imphal city remained closed.
Sit-in protests were also held at various parts of Singjamei, Checkon, Konung Mamang, Nongmeibung, Khagem Palli, etc.
Similar protests were also held at Chingarel Tejpur and Awang Leikinthabi.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of a sit-in protest organised by Awang Leikinthabi Development Committee, Awang Leikinthabi Meira Paibi and Modern Youth association, secretary of Awang Leikinthabi Meira Paibi Kh Miranda condemned the death of Babysana and demanded the Government to deliver justice at the earliest.
She then demanded the Government to arrest and punish those responsible for the incident.
Later the protesters shouted slogans demanding justice for Babysana.
Coordinating Body Khurai, in collaboration with Kongpal Lai Hiden Meira Paibi Women Welfare Association and ISA, also organised a similar protest at Khurai Kongpal Lai Hiden today. A similar protest was also organised at Khurai Thangjam Leikai by the Coordinating Body Khurai and Khurai Thangjam Leikai Chingabam Leirak Meira Paibi.
On the other hand, Phayeng Apunba Nupi Lup staged a sit-in at Phayeng today demanding justice for Babysana and condemning the failure of the authorities to bring a solution to the matter. Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the protest, Phayeng Apunba Nupi Lup president A Tomalei demanded the authorities to arrest and punish all those involved in the incident at the earliest.
Protests were also staged at various localities of Thangmeiband today. Womenfolks and Meira Paibis organised a sit-in protest in front of  ABC Godown while Meira Paibies of Kabrabam Leikai and Lourung Purel Leikai, also staged similar protest at DMC road. Sinam Leikai Naharol Leishemba Club too staged a similar protest demonstration at Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai as well.
Sit-in protest was also staged at Waikhom Leikai Govt Upper Primary School Singjamei Waikhom Leikai. Locals and womenfolk of Haobam Marak Chingtham Leikai, Yaifa Lamjing Lup Pishumthong Ningom Leirak, Thongju Boroi Makhong and Pheija Leitong Meira Paibi Lup also staged protest demonstrations condemning the incident at their localities today.