Students and vendors of Ima market took out a rally demanding the release of arrested Manipur University students and teachers and bring normality on the campus here on Sunday.

The impasse in Manipur University returned after K. Yugindro took office as pro vice-chancellor on September 20.

Manipur University Students’ Union and six student groups comprising the All Manipur Students’ Union, Democratic Students’ Alliance Manipur, Kangleipak Students’ Association, Manipur Students’ Federation, Students’ Union of Kangleipak and Apunba Ireipak Maheiroi Singpanglup have been pressing the authorities to bring normality back on campus.

“Our main demand is to cancel the FIRs lodged against the teachers and students who were arrested during a raid on the Manipur University campus on September 20. We are disappointed because the university failed to bring back normality,” said N. Bidyarani, a BEd student, who was part of the protest rally on Sunday.

Altogether nine students and six teachers were arrested on charges of threatening and opposing Yugindro when he came to the university to take over as as the pro vice-chancellor.

At least nine members of the six student organisations were also arrested for imposing a 48-hour strike, demanding the release of the varsity students and teachers.

“We want a suitable professor, according to the University Act, who would think of the the student community’s welfare and who can bring back normality on campus,” Bidyarani said.

A large number of students had attempted to storm the residence of Yugindro at Wangkhei Thangapat in Imphal West on Saturday demanding the release of the arrested students and teachers.

The police had to fire tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and in return, the agitators pelted stones at police. Some of the agitators were picked up and detained.

The students also demanded to expedite the inquiry over suspended vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey.

On the other hand, local clubs and organisations of Wangkhei held a meeting on Sunday and decided to urge Yugindro to shift to a secure government quarters. The residents claimed that the locality shall witness unrest if he continues to stay in the locality. The meeting also decided that the professor should accept any decision taken by the organisations if he fails to accept the proposal to shift.

Another group of protesters, who formed a human chain at Pangei on Saturday, demanded the immediate removal of security forces stationed on the varsity campus.