Imphal, Sept 23: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Manipur Government, demanding the immediate withdrawal of paramilitary personnel from the Tribal Girls' Hostel at Old Lambulane in Imphal. The organisation warned that it would intensify its agitation if the authorities fail to restore the hostel to its intended use within the stipulated period.
In a statement issued by its Council Headquarters, the Tribal Youth Council Manipur strongly criticised the continued occupation of the hostel by paramilitary forces, describing it as "an unacceptable encroachment on tribal students' facilities." The organisation alleged that the prolonged use of the hostel for security deployment has deprived tribal girl students of accommodation meant for their education and welfare.
According to the TYCM, the issue has remained unresolved despite repeated representations made to the authorities. The organisation recalled that it had submitted a formal representation and complaint on August 22, 2025, urging the concerned departments to vacate the premises at the earliest so that the hostel could once again accommodate tribal women students pursuing higher education in Imphal.
The Council further stated that additional representations were submitted on August 29, 2025, to several senior government authorities, including Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department, and other concerned officials. It said these representations sought immediate intervention to resolve the matter and restore the hostel to its original purpose.
In addition to approaching the state government, the TYCM informed that it had lodged a formal complaint before the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes, requesting the Commission to examine the issue and take appropriate action to safeguard the rights and welfare of tribal students.
The organisation alleged that the continued occupation of the hostel has disrupted the academic environment and adversely affected tribal women pursuing higher studies. According to the TYCM, the lack of access to hostel facilities has created hardship for many students who depend on government accommodation while studying in Imphal.
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"This is not only a denial of basic student facilities but also an affront to the welfare and safety of tribal women pursuing higher studies in Imphal," the Council stated, stressing that educational infrastructure meant for students should not remain unavailable indefinitely.
Issuing its 15-day ultimatum, the TYCM said it would hold the government accountable if the matter remains unresolved after the deadline. The organisation warned that it would be compelled to intensify its democratic agitation and launch further protests to press for the restoration of the hostel.
The Council appealed to the state government to act swiftly and take necessary measures to vacate the hostel, stating that restoring the facility to its intended purpose is a matter of justice, dignity, and equal educational opportunity for tribal students. As of the issuance of the TYCM's statement, there was no immediate response from the state government regarding the demands or the timeline for vacating the premises.
