Imphal-Moreh road bandh : Minor killed as police fire to disperse bandh supporters
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 23 2015 :
A minor boy of 13 was killed when police opened fire to disperse a group of people who had come out to enforce the Thoubal bandh called by the Lilong Political Unified Link (LIPUL) today evening at Lilong Kaleikhong Makok.
The deceased minor boy has been identified as Md Imtiaz Khan (13) son of Md Zakir of Lilong Chingkham.
Imtiaz was a Class VIII student of Oxford English School at Lilong Ubaktong.
Till the time of filing this report, family members are yet to claim the mortal remains of the boy.
Following the death of the boy and the resultant public uproar, the Thoubal District Magistrate has imposed prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC until further order.
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The bandh was enforced to demand that the road stretch from Lilong to Waithou on Asian Highway-I be widened to accommodate the growing number of traffic on the Imphal-Moreh route.
The bandh started from 6 am today with a large number of bandh supporters coming out to enforce the same.
Nothing untoward occurred in the early part of the day.
However things started turning ugly at Lilong Kaleikhong Makok, when a large number of bandh supporters started imposing the bandh with vigour.
A large posse of policemen arrived at the spot and in their effort to control the situation resorted to firing tear gas shells, mock bombs and rubber bullets.
Till the time of filing this report it could not be confirmed whether the deceased youth was shot with a real bullet or a tear gas shell or mock bomb.
A Thoubal police commando also received injuries in the fracas.
The injured personnel has been identified as Surchandra.
Sources said that he received injuries on his left arm and has been admitted to Thoubal district hospital.
A cousin of the deceased minor boy, Md Yahiya Khan (14) son of Salwan also received injuries inflicted by tear gas shells.
A number of people were also injured in the stand off.
As news of the death of the minor boy spread, more people came out on the road and enforced the highway blockade with renewed vigour.
Additional force from Imphal West police have also rushed to Lilong.
Swinging into action, the police have stopped passers by from passing through the highway.