On August 6, 2022, at least 30 students were injured when police forcibly dispersed a demonstration organized by the All College Tribal Students’ Union.

Over 100 members of the union were demonstrating to demand the release of colleagues who had been arrested in Manipur, when state police dispersed them using tear gas and batons. In response, the demonstrators reportedly threw stones at police. The clash left 30 students and two policemen injured.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force against students in retaliation for the nonviolent exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly — conduct that is expressly protected by international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a party. While state authorities have a responsibility to maintain order and safety, they must do so in a manner that is proportionate and does not violate fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The use of force and detentions to restrict peaceful student expression undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.eastmojo.com/manipur/2022/08/06/manipur-thirty-tribal-students-injured-in-police-brutality-in-imphal/
https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/30-protesting-students-injured-in-police-action-over-atsum-leaders-arrest
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/manipur/manipur-tribal-students-policemen-injured-clash-imphal-8075401/