Imphal, August 03: A large number of students numbering about 600 descended on the Kumbi residence of IFCD Minister N Mangi today morning and set ablaze the effigies of the Minister and the Chief Minister.

Strongly denouncing the failure of the SPF Government to lift the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, the students raised slogans, sat on the steps of the Minister's house and then set ablaze the effigies of the Chief Minister and the.

IFCD Minister.

Earlier before the students descended on the Minister's residence, the students took out a rally from Kairenphabi to Wangoo.

Meanwhile expressing solidarity with the sentiments of the people, Thanga MLA Salam Ibohal joined a students' rally today at Thanga.

The rally started from Thanga Salam Leikai and wound up at Thanga Chinglak.

Amid tight security the students and the MLA staged the rally and raised slogans demanding stern punishment of the AR personnel involved in killing Th Manorama and to revoke the AFSPA from Manipur.

The rallyists also carried festoons and placards denouncing the excesses of the security personnel.

Before the rally took off, a number of students converged at the residence of the MLA and demanded the removal of all black laws.

The students also asked the MLA to resign if he cannot act in the interest of the people.

Ibohal explained to the students that the Opposition MLAs have launched a series of action to exert pressure on the State Govt and the Centre to get the AFSPA revoked.

If the Act is not revoked, then the Opposition MLAs will resign enmasse, he assured the students.

Later after pacifying the students, the MLA joined the rally.

Nothing untoward happened during the rally.