Mayai Lambi bandh turns ugly, sparks violence, arson
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2016: The general strike imposed along Mayai Lambi turned ugly at Mayang Imphal as bandh supporters clashed with another group of people.

In the ensuing violence, 30 people were hurt and around 10 houses/shops were set ablaze.

According to information culled from the spot, bandh supporters prohibited movement of people and vehicles at Mayang Imphal Bengoon since morning.

At around 9.30 am, a group of bandh supporters armed with shotguns and other weapons marched up to Mayang Imphal Konchak.

Soon they vandalised and set ablaze a number of shops and houses located on the western side of Mayai Lambi.

This led to a violent confrontation between the two sides.

Altogether nine people including three policemen sustained injuries as they were hit by pellets fired from shotguns.

The gutted remains of a structure during the clash

Around 10 shops and houses were burnt by bandh supports.

The opposing group retaliated by burning two shops.

Meanwhile, some unidentified persons committed burglary at a grocery shop and another shop which deals in mobile phones and recharge vouchers.

Police had a hard time in trying to bring the situation under control.

As Imphal West District Police could not handle the situation by themselves, reinforcements were called from Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal.

In spite of the presence of a strong police team, bandh supporters continued firing shotguns intermittently while still enforcing the bandh at Bengoon.

District Magistrate Ningthoujam Geoffrey and SP Dr AK Jhaljit came and assessed the situation sometime later.

The bandh supporters were somehow dispersed by firing tear gas shells at around 3.20 pm and vehicles stranded at Mayang Imphal were given free passage.

Nonetheless, stringent security measures have been put in place in and around Mayang Imphal.

Altogether 20 people who sustained injuries in the morning clash and police action in the afternoon were brought to Noor Hospital and Research Institute, Lilong.

Out of them, six are women and most of the injured victims were hit by shotgun pellets.

Another source informed that four injured people were also brought to Public Hospital, Hatta.The JAC constituted in connection with the death of Md Farooque Khan, Md Saddam and inflicting grievous injuries to Md Zamir called a general strike along Mayai Lambi from last midnight till 6 pm today.

The JAC further announced that they would impose general strike all over the State if the killers are not booked at the earliest.

Meanwhile JAC convenor Md Mustafa told media persons at Lilong this evening that there is no question of calling off the bandh as the Government has not yet pulled up the killers.

Listing the names of the killers, the JAC had already submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the DGP.

The JAC held a meeting with the Chief Minister at 10 am today but the two sides could not come to any understanding.

The bandh will continue until the killers are pulled up and the Government should be held accountable for any untoward incident which may break out in the course of the bandh.

Md Mustafa also accused police of inflicting injuries to civilians today at Mayang Imphal.

The JAC's movement has no element of communalism but it is a struggle to bring justice to the young boys who were killed mercilessly.

Even if they had committed unpardonable crimes, it would have been highly appreciated if they were handed over to authority concerned, Md Mustafa rued.

Meanwhile, the JCILPS has issued fervent appeals to all the people to stay calm and refrain from rumour mongering.

It also urged the Government to monitor use of Facebook, Whatsapp etc by rumour mongers and other unscrupulous elements.

Earlier today as soon as the news of the violent confrontation spread, a team of JCILPS went to Mayang Imphal.

They held separate meetings with the two groups who had violent confrontation today.

Meanwhile taking serious note of the outbreak of violence at Mayang Imphal, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation has urged the State Government to respond in time and take up corrective measures.

In a statement, AMUCO said that some elements are out to turn a purely private matter into a communal confrontation and added that the State Government should defeat this agenda.

AMUCO added that since April 7/8, after some unsavoury incidents involving deaths and violence at Mayang Imphal and Lilong area, the State Government has not been taking up any pre-emptive measures.

On the other hand AMUCO has been meeting community leaders of Meiteis and Meitei Pangals and keeping a close tab on the situation.

It is unfortunate that no sincere attempts have been made by the Government to resolve the issue despite the JAC, formed in connection with the issue, to resolve the issue soon, said AMUCO and condemned the 'man made' communal tension.

Stating that the Government must leave no stone unturned to defuse the situation, AMUCO said that inaction would amount to strengthening the hands of trouble makers.

AMUCO further said that the issue is threatening to spread further, particularly to Jiribam and condemned the agenda of the trouble makers and added that misusing the social media to spread hatred should stop.