Demand for influx regulatory mechanism ; Police-protesters battles rage on unabated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2015 : A police personnel was injured and three protesters were detained as people in large numbers con-tinued to block roads and stage protest in different parts of the State today demanding implementation of ILPS .

Authorities relaxed curfew for five hours from 5 am to 10 am in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

From around 11 am onwards, people came out to streets and burnt tyres, scattered pieces of broken glass bottles and placed electric poles and metallic water pipes on the roads to stage protest and block vehicular movement.

Singjamei, Kakwa, Naorem Leikai and Canchipur areas on Imphal-Moreh road witnessed heated tussle between police and protesters.

A cop takes cover from slingshots fired by pro-ILP protesters at Singjamei Makha Naorem Leikai

At these areas, police had a tough time throughout the day as protesters in large numbers kept on pelting stones and firing slingshots to the police.

Innumerable rounds of tear gas shells, mock bombs and slingshot projectiles were fired to prevent the protesters from coming to the street.

At some areas between Singjamei and Canchipur MU gate, police and protesters engaged in pitched battle of slingshots for around two hours.

Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells and mock bombs towards pro-ILPS rallyists, who were marching towards the main road, at Pichu Lampak area.

On the other hand, protesters tried to overpower police at Bini Leirak area after coming out from different lanes.

They rained stones and slingshot projectiles to the police, who ran for cover up to Kakwa bazar.

However, the protesters were later dispersed by the police who fired several rounds of teargas shells and mock bombs.

Police detained four protesters at the area.

However, a protester managed to escape from the police.

Remaining three persons were lodged at Singjamei police station.

Soon after the incident, another police team led by Additional SP (Operations) Vikramjit and Additional SP (Law and Order) S Ibomcha arrived there.

A large number of women came near the two officers and requested them to release the detained persons.

However, police told them that the detained persons would be released if the womenfolk control the protesters.

The protesters reacted sharply to the police's response by intensifying their stir.

They came to the street again shouting different slogans.

Later, police managed to disperse them by firing tear gas shells.

During the face-off one police personnel was injured after he was hit by stone on his head.

Dark smokes were seen billowing from Imphal-Moreh road between Singjamei and Canchipur MU gate as people burnt tyres and other objects at different sections.

On the other hand, a large number of people including womenfolk took out a protest rally from Singjamei bazar in a bid to storm the private residence of PHED Minister I Hemochandra at around 3.30 pm.

They shouted 'Long Live Manipur', 'Implement ILPS' and 'We condemn killing of students' slogans.

However, a brief scuffle broke out at Singjamei traffic point as police prevented the rallyists from proceeding towards the Minister's residence.

They were dispersed by firing teargas shells.

Similar tussles were also seen at Mongsangei and Heirangoithong areas along Mayai Lambi.

Locals of Ahchanbingei, Luwangshangbam, Luwang-shangbam Matai, Khabam and Khabam Lamkhai took out a protest rally from Khabam Lamkhai towards Sangakpham.

However, they were stopped by a team of Police at Mantripukri.

Later, the rallyists blocked NH-2 by burning tyres and placing different objects on the road at different points between Mantripukri and Khabam Lamkhai.

Police who patrolled this section to clear the highway were attacked by the protesters by pelting stones and using slingshots.

Uripok, Naoremthong, Keishamthong, Sagolband and Tiddim road also witnessed similar protests.

People also burnt effigies Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at different locations.

Heingang Kendra Meira Paibi Apunba Lup staged a sit-in-protest at Khabam Lamkhai where womenfolk numbering more than 600 took part in the protest.

They burnt the effigies of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for their alleged failure to implement a stronger and effective Bill to save the indigenous population.

Later they marched towards Mantripukhri demanding immediate implementation of ILPS in Manipur and punishment to the police personnel involved in the killing of Robinhood.

People of different communities of Langol Lamkhai Lamthung Ching also staged a sit-in-protest.

The sit-in-protest was organized by Langol Chingtam Apunba Nupi Lup.

Meanwhile in Khonghampat area, different localities of the area also staged a sit-in-protest.

Womenfolk of Khonghampat Mantri Leikai Nupi Lup, Khonghampat Lai Leirak and Khonghampat High School staged the sit-in-protest.

At Pheidinga, womenfolk from Khurkhul, Loitang Khullen, Loitang Leikinthabi marched a rally from Khurkhul to Pheidinga and staged a sit-in-protest.

Womenfolk in Khurkhul Lamkhai also staged a sit-in-protest demanding implementation of ILPS in the State.

Advanced Women Society Awang Sekmai and Sekmai Apunba Meira Paibee also marched a rally from Sekmai bazar supporting the movement for implementation of ILPS in the State.

Sekmai bazar wore a deserted look as all the shops were shut.

At Maharabi Lamkhai, Maharabi Youth Club in association with the meira paibees staged a sit-in-protest.

Kongba Nongthombam Leikai Women Association showed their anger against the State Government and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

At Kongba bazar, security personnel clashed with protesters wherein some security personnel sustained minor injuries.

Protesters pelted stones and shot slingshot projectiles to the security personnel who were deployed at Kongba bazar.

Police also fired several rounds of teargas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protesters.

More than 500 womenfolk of Women Society Ragailong, Ragailong Youth Club and members of JCILPS Student Wing staged a torch rally from Ragailong to Khongnang Ani Karak.

Locals of Khurai along with the family members of Sapam Robinhood staged a sit-in-protest at Lamlong bridge.

Awang Kongpal Meira Paibee in association with Netaji Memorial Club staged sit-in-protest and rally upto Lamlong.

Womenfolk of Khurai Nandeibam Leikai and Khurai Puthiba Leikai staged sit-in-protest.

Sit-in-protests were also staged at Koirengei Awang Leikai, Tera Sapam Leirak, Sagolband Lukram Leirak, Kongpal Thongkhong Tinsid road, Nambol, Tendongyan, Moirang Lamkhai, Khongman and Kongba Nandeibam Leikai.

Torch rallies were taken out from Haraorou Sambei to Pangei in Imphal East and Moirang Lamkhai to Moirang bazar in Bishnupur district.

Sit-in-protests were also staged at Heibongpokpi bazar under the aegis of Heibongpokpi Meira Paibi Lup, Nongchup Imphal Meira Paibi Lup (NIMPAL), CADA Heibongpokpi Unit.

NIMPAL and Awang Sekmai Meira Paibi organised a sit-in-protest at Awang Sekmai Bazar.

All Manipur Women's Social Reformation & Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) Maharabi Unit & Maharabi Meira Paibi Lup also organised sit in at Maharabi.

Waiton area clubs and organisations like Ideal Club, Price Club, Youth Development Association, Meira Paibi Lup and Nisha Bandh organised a sit in at Waiton Bazar Board keithel today.

Khongjom Mamang Leikai Meira Paibi and Khongjom Bazar Meira Paibi Meira organised a meira (torch) rally at Khongjom Bazar last night.

Thoubal DISTRICT .

Various commercial places in Thoubal district were closed down to render support to the ongoing agitation of JCILPS.

All the shops in Thoubal, Wangjing, Kakching, Yairipok and Khongjom bazars remained closed while protesters burnt tyres and effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam along the road.

Locals of Charangpat Mayai Leikai also organised a rally demanding a stronger ILP Bill in the State.

Protesters in Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Khong Ahanbi, Babu Bazar, Haokha Maning Leikai, Haokha Mamang Leikai, Wangkhem, Kairem-Bikhok, Khongjom, Pallel Bazar, Papal Lamkhai, Tekcham Bazar and Kakching-Lamkhai also blocked the National Highway.

Police personnel tried to disperse the mob by firing tear gas shells.

Protesters in retaliation attacked the police personnel with slingshots.

In Thoubal Wangmataba and Thoubal Bazar, one protesters was injured after being hit a tear gas shell on the head.

The injured has been identified as Sorokhaibam Priyanka, d/o Bogen of Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Wangmataba.

She was rushed to the District Hospital for medical treatment.