Scuffle breaks out over ration card distribution, 12 hurt
Source: The Sangai Express
Moirang, April 21 2016:
At least 12 persons including the Chairperson of Moirang Municipal Council (MMC) and four Councillors were injured as police resorted to baton charging and fired tear gas shells to control a violent confrontation that broke out during distribution of ration cards of National Food Security Act at Moirang bazar today.
Distribution of ration and AAY cards for Moirang AC began on April 19 at Purit Mandop.
On the third day today, cards with respect to the remaining Wards of Moirang Municipal Council were supposed to be distributed in the presence of Moirang SDO Md Sulaiman Daulat Khan, Congress Councillors of MMC and SDO staff.
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However, since early morning, six BJP Councillors including MMC Chairperson and a large number of their supporters gheraoed and locked SDO's office protesting distribution of ration cards without their knowledge by MLA M Prithviraj in connivance with Moirang SDO.
They demanded the authority concerned to hand over the ration and AAY cards of the Wards which they represent for distribution.
A violent scuffle broke out between police and BJP Councillors and supporters when the police tried to bring out the ration cards from SDO office for distribution at Purit Mandop.
As the BJP Councillors and supporters started vandalizing office furniture, police fired tear gas shells and resorted to baton charging to control them.
Atleast 12 persons including MMC Chairperson M Romibala and four other BJP Councillors M Ibemcha, M Premila, K Premila and H Bisheshwori were injured.
Other injured persons have been identified as Ph Indubala, L Ibema, Ph Khomdonbi, K Sanahal, L Kamala, Ph Naobi and L Reena.
Many of the agitators suffered injury on head.
Persons whose condition are serious have been referred to RIMS hospital.
Later, even as the SDO and his staff distributed ration cards to the beneficiaries at Purit Mandop, the agitators shut Moirang Keithel.
The market wore a deserted look at around 3 pm.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, MMC Chairperson Romibala strongly condemned police action.
She said that the Councillors have the right to distribute the ration cards to their people.
On the other hand, Moirang SDO Md Daulat Khan said that prior information were given to the MLA, MMC Chairperson and Councillors regarding distribution of ration cards.
These cards are to be distributed by the staff of SDO concerned and the cards of the absentees must be handed over to the Councillors concerned, he said.