Police use teargas to disperse agitating students in Manipur

The police Friday used teargas to prevent agitating students in Manipur from marching to the state assembly demanding immediate implementation of the inner line permit system in the state.

The police said the students were trying to march to the assembly complex at Chingmeirong on the outskirts of Imphal from three different points.

At least four students suffered minor injuries in a lathicharge on the students near ChurachandHigherSecondary School in the city, the police said.

Official sources said a resolution was adopted in the ongoing assembly session on June 13 urging the Centre to take steps for implementation of the ILP system, while various social organisations and Joint Committee on ILP System said the ILP system could be implemented by enacting a legislation in the assembly.

A spokesman of the JCILPS, which has been spearheading the stir, said they in consultation with various social organisations and students' bodies would intensify their 'democratic' agitation.

"We are not against any non-Manipuri in the state, but we must protect and save our indigenous identities of different communities before it is too late," he observed.

Official reports from other districts said people in groups have been sitting at various parts of the state to support the stir for implementation of the ILP system.

The ILP system is in force in neighbouring Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.