Fleeing non-local students stopped by police

IMPHAL, August 2: Altogether 96 students from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, who were studying at College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Iroishemba, abruptly fled the college early this morning without informing the authorities and tried to leave the state, but were stopped by the police. The fleeing students were forcibly taken back to the college later this afternoon but not before a tussle with the police that left several students injured. The 96 students, including a number of girls, left their hostels with their luggage early this morning without informing the college authorities. Attempts by local students and residents of the nearby locality to persuade them not to go failed. The students also refused to give any reasons for their abrupt departure. However, a police team, led by the SDPO, Lamphel, intercepted them near Hindu Hotel, where they were boarding a bus at around 6 am today. The students again declined to give any reason why they were leaving, and consequently they were taken to the Lamphel police station and detained there. The vice-chancellor of the University, SS Bhagel, dean, College of Agriculture, AI Singh, and other teaching staff also attempted to negotiate with the students but had no better success. The students instead requested the college authorities for permission to return to their homes. Several IAS officers from Mizoram and other states also came to talk to the students. The students were ultimately forcibly made to board buses and taken back to the college premises, where they were made to return to their respective rooms. It was later learnt that about half of the students who tried to leave today had no idea why they were leaving, but followed along as asked by their colleagues. Others however told media persons that their lives were at risk in Manipur.