MLA's team face Lilong bandh brunt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 18: Chandel MLA Thangkholun Haokip's tour to Moltuk in Khengjoi block under Chandel district ran into trouble when bandh supporters targeted the vehicles of the ADC of Chandel and BDO of Khengjoi Block at Lilong today forcing the security escort of the MLA to open fire in the air to disperse the crowd.

The bandh was called by the JAC Against the Killing of Md Abdul Latif to protest the killing of Latif by a combined force on July 16 during an alleged encounter at Hiyangthang Terahei.

Burning tyres, tree branches etc set up on NH-39 at Lilong

Even as the bandh supporters had virtually blocked the Imphal-Moreh route at Lilong Ushoipokpi by piling up tree trunks, bamboo branches, burning tyres etc in the middle of the road, the MLA and his officials accompanied by his escort party and media persons reached Lilong.

On verifying the identity of the MLA, his vehicle was allowed to pass through, but the vehicle carrying the ADC of Chandel and BDO of Khengjoi block came under heavy attack from the bandh supporters, who mistook their vehicles for taxis plying on the Imphal-Moreh route.

The vehicles were stoned with the bandh supporters even banging them with sticks.

To control the situation, the security escort of the MLA opened several rounds of blank fire to disperse the crowd.

As the loud sound of gun fire reverberated through, the people ran helter skelter.

The SO of Khengjoi TD Block L Premchand and chief of Khenjang village Thongpum Haokip, who were travelling in a Tata Sumo as part of the team were injured in the stoning by the bandh supporters.

The two were administered first aid at the Community Health Centre of Thoubal and later proceeded towards Moltuk.

The Tata Sumo which bore the brunt of the attack suffered extensive damages with the rear window and the side windows being smashed to smithereens in the stoning.

Meanwhile the bandh imposed in Bishnupur district today to protest the killing of H Somendro and M Somen on July 15 at a spot in between Narem Chakpi and Thounaojam was total today, with shops downing shutters at Bishnupur bazar and vehicles remaining off the road.

Bandh supporters came out on the street at Bishnupur bazar and blocked the road.

Two buses which reportedly violated the bandh call were attacked causing substantial damages.