IMPHAL, August 16: The five school students who have been on indefinite hunger strike in front of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, Nongmeibung from August 14 demanding implementation of ILPS or similar law in the State have been taken into custody by civil police today with their condition deteriorated.
In the meantime, showing solidarity to the movement more people including students have joined the indefinite hunger strike in different places bringing the total number of hunger strikers to 13.
The arrested student hunger strikers have been reportedly hospitalised in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
Four of the five students were taken into custody by a team of police along with individuals in civvies in the wee hour today around 2 am while the remaining one was arrested around 11.30 am.
The arrest of the students had led to a confrontation between the police and supporters of the students, who converged at the venue of the hunger strike since the beginning of the movement.
Alleging that the nature of the police was very inhumane while handling the students, the supporters barricaded the Nongmeibung junction disrupting normal traffic leading to JNIMS and DC Imphal East office. In an attempt to disperse the mob, police fired several rounds of tear gas shells.
Sources said that in the confrontation, a woman agitator was injured. She is identified as Nongthombam Thoibi, 40, wife of N Rajen of Nongmeibung.
The news of the arrest and subsequent confrontation triggered a chain of protest throughout Imphal especially in Imphal East district with protestors blocking roads at several places.
Later in the afternoon taking the place of the five arrested students, five more students from various schools had begun the indefinite hunger strike movement in front of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy.
The students have been identified as Toijam Robinson, a Class XI student of CC Higher Secondary School; Kh Thoibisana, a Class X student of Lamlong Higher Secondary School; Ningthoujam Linthoi Chanu, a Class X of Lamlong Higher Secondary School; Arambam Bhopendro Singh of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School and Leisangkhom Fajal, a Class XI student of Lamlong Higher Secondary School.
Notably, a large number of women folk and youths coming from different localities are manning the student hunger strikers.
On the other hand, six individuals have also started indefinite hunger strike near Lamlong Bridge. They are identified as Haorokcham Jemson Meiti, 20 of Awang Khunou Mamang Leikai; Depeshwar Lairikyengbam, 30 of New Checkon Awang Leikai; Tennison Akoijam, 29 of Uripok Sinam Leikai; Sumanta Manoharmayum, 23 of Sekta Mayai Leikai; Yumnam Langdaiba Meitei, 22 of Langol Housing Complex Type II and Romedrajit Moirangcha, 28 of Heikrucham Mamang Nambol.
Similarly, another two individuals have taken up indefinite hunger strike at the bus shed of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai since yesterday. They have been identified as Leisangthem Pratap, president of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai Naharol Leisemba Clud and Laishram Gunindro, a member of Thangmeiband Leo Club.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/ilps-movement-gains-momentum-as-mass-hunger-strikes-launched/