Self-immolation threat over closed schools

Imphal, July 16: At least 15 students have threatened self-immolation if immediate steps are not taken to reopen all schools and colleges, closed for more than a month now by all Manipur Student’s Union (AMSU), student volunteers here said. The first three volunteers, who pledged to self-immolate on Saturday if the issue is not resolved between the state government and AMSU by tomorrow, were produced before media persons at a press conference yesterday.

AMSU had ordered the closure of all educational institutions since June 12 to press for demands which included that the class ten student, Sanamacha Singh, allegedly arrested by army in February and missing since then be produced, withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state and shifting of Assam rifles from Kangla.