Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 07:
Despite the indefinite curfew clamped in the two Imphal districts lakhs of women drawn from all walks of women drawn from all walks of life defied curfew and staged the so far, biggest mass protests, against the decision of the Centre to extend the NSCN(IM) ceasefire to the State.
The mass protests were held ahead of the crucial meeting between the Prime Minster, Home Minister and State political leaders at Delhi tomorrow.
Every lanes and by lanes in Imphal districts were a sea of the humanity as women from each and every household came out from their homes to defy the curfew and stage mass sit-in-protests.
People from different communities attired in their traditional clothes sat on protest from early morning.
Mass protests were also held at Thoubal, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Jiribam and Moirang etc.
taking note of the sensitive issue police, Assam Rifles and Para-military forces wee restrained, official sources said.
The protestors were, however, not allowed to stage their dharnas on the main roads of the city and the sit-in-protests were staged on the lanes, by lanes of every leikais and by the sides of the main roads.
Though the day was by and large peaceful at least 32 protestor including women were injured in a lathi chage by security personnel near Wangkhei Pujah Lampak.
One woman CRPF personnel was injured in the incident, said reports.
The 32 injured people have been evacuated to JN hospital.
According to reports the protestors pelted stones and refused to retreat after the security personnel swooped down on them and resorted to a lathi charge without any warning police commandos who later came to the scene also came under attack from the protestors.
To quell the protestors the police personnel opened around 6 to 7 rounds of fire.
The house of one Kongrailatpam Amusana was ransacked by the security personnel.
A religious function was underway at Amusana�s house when the security personnel ransacked his house.
Later AR Personnel led by the CO of 17 Assam Riffles came to the scene and pacified the people.
Sweets were distributed to young boys as a gesture of good will.
The religious function was allowed to proceed unhindered.
Earlier at around 11.30 am a 69 year old woman was injured when security forces dispersed a sit-in-protest at Khurai Sajor Leikai, Tinsid Road.
Many people including women were also injured at Changangei airport gate, Andro parking, Kwakeithel Nganappi thong, Kongpal Thongkhong Tinsid road, Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Thangmeiband DM College gate, Checkon etc.
Around 100 women and family members of State police personnel staged a sit-in-protest in front of 2nd MR gate against the truce extension.
Senior BJP leader and MLA Haobam Bhuban also participated in a sit-in-protest held at Singjamei.
At Babupara about 80 women including wives of MLAs sat on dharna demanding the revocation of the ceasefire extension.
The women were, however, dispersed by security forces.
Staff, teachers and students of MU and Paites also joined dharna at MU gate.
Rallies were carried out at many places including New Cachar Road.
Mass protests were also held at Tuibong, New Bazar and Police point at Churachanpur.
Nineteen organisations also staged sit-in-protests at Bishnupur.
At many place rallies were carried out after the sit-in-protest and some effigies of Central leaders were consigned to flames.
Chothes, Lamkangs, Koirengs, Koms etc.
participated in a rally from Langmeidong to Waikhom.
At Kakching Khunou a 10000 strong rally participated by Kukis, Marings, Lamkangs and Muslims was also held.
At Wangjing Bazar police personnel swooped down on a group of protestors and destroyed a numbers of articles to be used by the protestors.
The Thoubal SP however denied the incident.
Sit-in-protests were also held at Charangpat Keithel.
At Jiribam sit-in-protests participated by Meities, Hmars, Kabuis, Kukis, Paites, Simtes, Khasis, Gangtes, Vaipheis etc.
was held from 6 am to 6 pm.
Hundred of protestor including women turn out at the Tiddim Road and Wahengbam Leikai here and burnt tyres along the road.