27th August 1965 : Birth of students force in Manipur

Seram Neken
After the first and second Nupi Lan (women's wars) against the malpractices of the respective regimes in 1904 and in 1939 during British rule in Manipur, the students' uprising of 27 August 1965 was the biggest movement against the injustices meted out by the Government in the post-merger period in Manipur history. Besides being a revolt against the artificial famine created by rich businessmen in collusion with the then Government, it signified an expression of people's intent desire to live with dignity, self-reliance and self-determination within the framework of Indian Constitution.
Friday, 27 August 1965 is a red letter day for Manipur. It was on this historic day in 1965 that students protesting against the artificial famine created by the then Government were brutally charged and some of them even killed inside the compound of the then Chief Commissioner of Manipur.
Nabakumar, Nilamani and Pramodini sacrificed their lives on the spot for the cause of the people. Laishram Chaobhal Singh (of Lamphel High school) succumbed to his injuries on Sept 26, a month after the incident. Among those who sustained bullet injuries were Laishram Mangi (Imphal College), Kumar and Budhi (both of DM College), while N Ibohal Singh was seriously injured in lathi-charge. The rightful demand of the students for right to food was responded with bullets of the then Government forces. The unfortunate event gave birth to the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU).
On 28 August 1965, a meeting of students presided by Nameirakpam Madhusadan Singh was held at the residence of Leihaothabam Saratchandra Sharma at Keishampat Laisom Leirak, leading to the formation of AMSU. Next day, the first Executive Council of AMSU was constituted at a meeting held at Uripok Tourangbam Leikai (residence of Gurumayum Jatishwar Sharma) and presided over by N Birendrakumar. Shri Thiyam Gambhir and Loitongbam Tombi Singh were elected as the President and the General Secretary of the 36-member Ad-hoc Executive body of AMSU. Shri N. Birendrakumar, H. Joykumar and M. Manikumar were the Joint Secretaries.
Members were Y. Brojen, Pukhrambam Kullachandra, Seram Mangi Singh, L. Ibohal, Y. Dijen, Ng. Sankar, L. Saratchandra, Syamkumar, Loitingbam Kanhai, Khwairakpam Subash, N. Sarat, Ksh Nabakumar and G. Yaima. Among those who took active role in the formation of the union were Md. Abdul Shah, M. Sanajaoba, L. Kaminikumar, O. Nabakumar, Gokul Singh, Salam Ibohal, A Basudev, P. Ibohal, S. Kirankumar, Shyamsundar, A. Yaima and L. Ibohal. The main agenda before the first Executive Council were the institution of judicial enquiry on the 27th August incident and release of the arrested student activists.
On 12 September 1965, a meeting of all the students of Manipur held at MDU hall elected the second Executive Council of AMSU. 17 student leaders who were released from jail on that day were also present in the meeting. Shri Sanajaoba Naoriya, Shri Thiyam Gambhir and Shri Gurumayum Joykumar Sharma were elected as the President, the Vice-president and the General Secretary of the Council respectively. Shri Loitongbam Iboyaima and Shri Meinam Manikumar were the Finance Secretary and the Publicity Secretary respectively.
(To be contd)