Student agitator dies in Manipur, tension mounts

A student leader, who attempted self-immolation on Sunday has succumbed to his injuries, raising tension in Manipur.

A student leader, who attempted self-immolation succumbed to his injuries on Monday, raising tension in Manipur where the government cracked down on the agitation for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act arresting eight prominent women leaders, official sources said.

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The sources said 28-year old Pebam Chitaranjan, who received ninety per cent burns, while attempting to set himself ablaze on Sunday, died at 2 pm on Monday afternoon at the Regional Institute of Medical Science Hospital in Imphal.

Reports said security and police posts were put on maximum alert as the news of the death of Chitaranjan, advisor to the Manipur Students Federation, spread like wildfire creating tension in the Valley.

With his death, the number of persons who died during the current agitation has gone up to two.

Earlier, 23-year-old Nimita, injured on August 7 by tear gas shells fired by the police, died on Sunday.