Student organisations boycott Republic Day celebration

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, January 25 2019: Six student organisations today declared boycott of the Republic Day celebration demanding withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

The six student bodies were All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Manipur Students’ Federation, Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur, Kangleipak Students’ Association, Students’ Union of Kangleipak and Apunba Ireipakki Maheirosing Singpanglup.

They made the boycott declarations in at a news conference held at AMSU office.

 “For India, tomorrow is Republic Day and for us, it is Dark Day,” said president of AMSU Manjit Sarangthem.

The student bodies appealed all sections of the society not to participate in the celebration.

“The people of the region have been oppressed in different stages. The attempt to pass the citizenship bill is a strategy to eradicate the indigenous people of the region. The question comes in our mind that how we can remain proud of being citizen of India,” he said.

“We will not stop our movement until and unless the citizenship bill is withdrawn,” he added.

The student bodies’ group appreciated the students unions of higher secondary schools and colleges declared to boycott the day.

Opposing the bill the All Manipur Bar Association and High Court Bar Association organised a silent sit-in rally in front of the Cheirap Court Complex in Imphal. The rally demanded immediate withdrawal of the bill.The protesters wore black mask during the sit-in.

The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System also organised protest rallies at different corners along Khurai Lamlongei to Gwaltabi in Imphal East demanding the same.