On December 6, 2024, police used tear gas to disperse at least 200 students associated with the All College Tribal Students Union (ACTSU) who were protesting to demand the payment of their scholarship funds from the National Scholarship Portal. 

On the morning of December 6, ACTSU students gathered in front of Ghanapriya Women’s College, holding placards and shouting slogans. As they moved towards the Imphal governor’s residence, police arrived and began using tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several students reported difficulty breathing as a result. 

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
Imphal Times; India Today
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/tribal-students-protest-for-immediate-release-of-st-scholarships-in-manipur/articleshow/116053504.cms
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/manipur/story/manipur-imphal-tribal-students-protest-for-release-of-scholarship-2646189-2024-12-06