Imphal, 20 July 2018 ( Evening News ) : Members of Opposition Party walked out of the house on the first day of the two day long 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly session today in allegation that the assembly session is a session against the interest of the public. Three much awaited different bills were introduced in the first day of the monsoon session today. Chief Minister, Nongthom Biren introduced the “The Manipur People’s protection Bill 2018 (Bill number 10 of 2018). Excise Minister,Y Joykumar introduced the Manipur Liquor Prohibition 2nd Amendment Bill, 2018 and Education Minister, Th Radheshyam introduced the Manipur International University Bill 2018. Speaker Y. Khemchand asked for “The Manipur People’s protection Bill 2018 to be reintroduced in the assembly session on July 23 after introspection by the Hill Area Committee.The monsoon session began with obituary reference by Speaker Y. Khemchand to late Chief Minister, ministers and those killed in the recent Tamenglong landslide. Right after the obituary reference, Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren highlighted the major issues of the state and asserted that the 15 month old BJP governance tried its best not to create any upheavals in the state. Biren told the house that  his government takes the University impasse with much volume and it is trying its best to bring normalcy in the academic atmosphere to save the students’ career . He also said that teachers’ association of Manipur University submitted a memorandum demanding an independent enquiry against the VC on May 18 this year. Biren said, acting upon the request and following a resolution by the state cabinet, the state government approached the Centre and has appointed a former Acting Chief Justice of  Meghalaya High Court as the Chairman of the fact finding committee to probe the case. He also intimated that the VC will be sent on leave before the investigation proceeds. Regarding the Border Issue, Chief Minister Biren told the house that his Government will not even cede even an inch of land to another state or another country at any cost. After the presentation by Chief Minister Biren, MLA. Khumukcham Joykishan told the house that the duration of the assembly session is too short and the sitting duration is not enough to discuss all the major issues prevailing in the state. He urged the Speaker to raise the concern to the Business Advisory Committee to extend the sitting duration. The Speaker responded that if any discussions are not covered on July 23, the sitting duration may be extended. Opposition MLAs urged for the sitting duration to be extended and left the house in discontentment led by Opposition leader Okram Ibobi. Former Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam raised from his seat and rebuked the house for not permitting to extend the session which he opined was necessary to discuss various prevailing issues of the state and left the house in discontentment.

Imphal, 19 July 2018 ( Evening News ) : The Sub-Inspector of Manipur Police and the Constable whose inhumane conducts toward the student protestors injured many students including the General secretary of DESAM who was saved by a fluke from dying, have been suspended. Chief Minister Nongthomam Biren has also announced to bear all the medical expenses for the treatment of the General Secretary of DESAM, Shital Oinam whose left arm was critically injured during a recent students' protest. It maybe recalled that the students protestors led by DESAM stormed Chief Minister's Bungalow chanting slogans in demand for the ousting of the Vice Chancellor of Manipur University. Police personnel drove the protestors away. The protestors then marched toward BJP office at Nityaipat Chuthek. Intense scuffles ensued between the protesting students and police personnel who were trying to contain the situation near Keishampat. As the confrontation reached the mercury, police resorted to lathi charge and even pushed the students on the road in their efforts to drive them away. General Secretary of DESAM, Shital Oinam was one of victims in the scuffles during the agitation. He was suddenly pushed by one police personnel and as he stumbled on the road, a tanker ran over his left shoulder, leaving his left arm critically injured. He was immediately taken to Raj Medicity and is still undergoing treatment in the hospital. Chief Minister Biren visited the injured students undergoing treatment in Raj medicity today where he announced same. Biren maintained that the state cabinet had convened a meeting and held in-depth discussion on the resolute demand of MUSA, MUTA and MUSU for ousting the VC of Manipur University. He said the state government is earnestly pressuring the Centre to consider the same. The Chief Minister asserted that punishments cannot be awarded to anyone without proving one as guilty and hence an enquiry committee has been set up to probe the allegations against the VC. He assured that if found guilty, the VC will be ousted from his post. Biren also intimated that a meeting was held with the Governor of Manipur regarding the prevailing upheavals in the state. He added, the Governor had already intimated the President of the country on the prevailing issues of the state. Chief Minister maintained since Manipur University is a Central University, the state government has   limitations to intervene the University impasse on its own to bring normalcy in the academic atmosphere without getting the final report of the enquiring committee. Biren assured that his government is urging the Central government to bring resolution to the current crises. Chief Minister Biren said, even though the state government is still awaiting the enquiry committee's report to take befitted measures against the guilty, the Government has issued an order to suspend the Manipur police personnel who meted out inhumane conducts toward the students protestors after closely examining the video footages of the incidents.

On the other hand, President of DESAM, Aakash Salam has asserted that the students will not be contented until the Government issues an official notification on suspension of the 2 police personnel who treated the students protestors as enemies with their inhumane conduct. Speaking to media persons at Raj Medicity, Aakash maintained that the students will not back off until the demand of MUSU, MUTA and MUSA is met but will rather intensify the agitation. He said the State Government cannot run from the issue despite the University being a Central Varsity as the matter has aggravated. Akash appealed to the Officials of the State Government to pressurise the Centre as BJP is in Power in both the State and the Centre. He highlighted that the Education Minister is currently out of station when the situation concerning the students in the state is in dire need of attention and expressed disappointment that no comments can further be made. Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Joykumar, Minister Karam Shyam, V. Hankhalian, Th. Shyamkumar, Khaiyisii and Letpao Haokip accompanied the Chief Minister in the visit.

Imphal, 17 July 2018 ( Evening News ) :Five major student organisations in the state namely, All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students Federation(MSF), Students Union Kangleipak (SUK), Apunba Ireipak-ki Maheiroi Singpang Lup (AIMS) and Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) have resolved to jointly support the 48 Hour General Strike called by MUSU in demand for ousting of the VC of Manipur University. Executive members of the student organisations agreed to unanimously support the general strike after holding a public meeting and the same was intimated to media persons at Manipur Press Club today. Addressing media persons, President of Manipuri Students Federation, N. Milan denounced the Government for remaining silent and for not initiating any actions even when the University crisis has completed 49 days. Taking part in the press meet, President of AIMS, Rajesh asserted that MUSU's demand is just and rational. He said, now the 6 organisations will join hands in the movement.

A joint statement of Singjamei to Lilong United Club’s Organisation informed that the organisation also supports the 48-hour General Strike called by MUSU in connection with Manipur University impasse.

Imphal, 17 July 2018 ( Evening News ) : Students were yet again injured during their agitation in demand for dismissal of the VC of Manipur University today. Student protestors under the initiative of Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) burnt the effigies of the Chief Minister, Union HRD Minister and VC of Manipur University in front of Kangla around 2 this afternoon chanting various slogans. Massive force of Manipur Police rushed at the spot to contain the situation. Scuffles ensued as Police personnel tried to arrest the agitating students. The irate students then ran toward the CM's Bungalow and stormed the Bungalow.  As soon as the agitating students reached the gate of CM's Bungalow, they started pulling away the police barricade and chanted various slogans. Police personnel posted on duty at the site tried to drive the students away but the situation was very tense and hence resorted to lathi charge. Police personnel also detained some students including a girl student and drove the other protesting students away from the bungalow. Few minutes later, the students returned again after reaching the bungalow’s turning point. The police personnel then detained the crowd and urged them to leave the place. The student protestors did not give in to the request and continued to agitate chanting various slogans to defend students' rights and condemning the manhandling the protesting students by Police personnel. Later, massive police force was deployed to finally contain the situation.

Imphal, 14 July 2018 ( Evening News ) :Father of Archana Hijam, 4th ranker in the recently declared BOSEM’s class 10 examination-2018, Hijam Ranjitkumar has refuted the media statement made by Chairman of BOSEM. Briefing media persons at Manipur Press Club, today, Ranjitkumar termed the media clarification which stated that understanding has been reached with the family members of  Archana Hijam regarding the alleged allocation of lesser marks during a meeting as baseless. He said, a meeting was held in the Education Minister’s chamber attended by subject experts, guardian of the student and head examiner, however, the student’s party was unhappy with how the meeting was proceeding and hence left the meeting half way without reaching any agreement or understanding. Ranjitkumar termed it unfortunate that the Chairman of BOSEM took undue advantage of the said meeting to spread false information on media that an understanding has been reached regarding the matter. He also expressed disappointment that the Education Minister did not try to boost the morale of the student’s party even though he assured to set up an enquiry committee to probe the case.

On the other hand, Manipur Students Federation (MSF) in a press release informed that, the organisation has found that 14 marks were deducted from the total score of a student who was supposed to secure position and that a student who was earlier declared fail have passed in 1st Division in the Class 10 board examination 2018 conducted by BOSEM. The organisation said that 14 marks were deducted from Pariton Langpoklakpam, a student of Nongpok Maheikol and Chingakham Chingdrenkhomba Meitei, Student of Halley English School was declared fail by awarding 7 marks instead of 27. MSF also questioned the Government , on what ground a person who have never worked at BOSEM was appointed as its Secretary.