Protest turns violent, scribe among two hurt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 22 2022: A scribe covering protest against the ongoing border fencing without proper demarcation along India-Myanmar international boundary in Manipur sector and one volunteer of United Committee Manipur (UCM) were injured when police used tear gas canisters and stun grenades to disperse the protestors at Khurai Lamlong Keithel on Wednesday.

Demanding early settlement of India-Myanmar boundary dispute in Manipur sector, UCM spearheaded the protest at temporary market shed of Khurai Lamlong Keithel on Wednesday.

When UCM volunteers led by president Joychandra Konthoujam tried to hold a sit-in-protest in front of Lamlong Keithel temporary market shed, a police team stationed already in the area prevented them from doing so as no prior permission had been sought for holding the protest.

Even after Joychandra Konthoujam insisted on holding the protest in a democratic manner as the issue relates to people of the state, the police team denied citing no prior per mission thereby resulting in confrontation between the two sides.

The standoff intensified when slogans shouting UCM volunteers tried to hold the protest despite police team's intervention and police later resorted to firing tear gas shells and stun grenades to disperse the protestors.

UCM secretary Soibam Anil and Pandam daily reporter Mangsatabam Linda were injured in the police action and both of them were rushed to JNIMS hospital.

Linda is currently undergoing treatment at Orthopaedic ward of the hospital.

Regarding the protest, UCM president Joychandra said that Manipur's land cannot be compromised or negotiated merely for strength ening friendship between India and Myanmar and in the name of the Act East Policy.

Chief minister N Biren Singh and Union minister of state RK Ranjan have been repeatedly apprised about demarcation of the disputed border area based on Ran goon Agreement of March 10, 1967 but no positive step is forthcoming till date, he said and vowed to continue the ongoing protest despite obstruction from police and even sacrifice life for safe guarding Manipur's land.

He then warned that government of Manipur shall be held responsible if any person happens to die during the protest for boundary demarcation as there are many people who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the land.

Deeply saddened by obstruction caused to democratic protest at Khurai Lamlong Keithel and opening of UCM unit at border area, Joychandra Konthoujam said that UCM is suspicious if the state police is helping in distorting the state boundary and promoting selling off border areas of the state.

He then urged the state's home department to curb the excessive action of police and asked if state police could own responsibility for breaking up the state.

He further warned that public might revolt against police if their excessive action continues and demanded immediate suspension of police personnel who acted excessively against protestors at Lamlong Keithel.

While challenging police to stop further protest against the un-demarcated border fencing, the UCM president said that the ongoing protest will continue including at three Ima Keithels of Khwairamband on Thursday.

He then appealed to people to understand that Manipur has lost up to 5 km land between Border Pillar No.79 and 102 but the government is remaining silent on the matter.

Comment