12 hurt in clash, NHs bandh announced
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 22 2019: At least 12 individuals, including 4 four police personnel and a news cameraman, sustained injuries following a clash near Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai today after a large number of people and members of the JAC constituted in connection with the death of Chungamliu Riamei, took out a protest rally to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

Following the incident, Rongmei Naga Students' Organization Manipur has announced a bandh along the National Highways as well as a complete ban on National projects in the State.

The incident occurred at around noon today, when the JAC took out a mass rally from Langol Tarung community hall, in an attempt to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren demanding justice for Chungamliu Riamei.

12 hurt in clash, NHs bandh announced

When the protester reached near the crossing of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai and Tarung shouting various slogans, they were stopped by a large number of Imphal West district police personnel (including women police).

The protesters tried to overpower the police and proceed further which led to a major scuffle between the two sides.

After the condition worsened, the police began firing tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the people and bring the situation under control.

On the other hand, angry JAC members and protesters also pelted stones and other objects toward the police personnel and the clash lasted for some minutes.

During the clash, more than 10 individuals, including 4 police personnel were injured and they were rushed to RIMS and Shija for necessary treatment.

The injured JAC members/protesters are identified as Paojanlu Kamei, Ningdailu Gangmei, Adim Kamei, Acham Kamei, Lunchuilu Dangmei, Lily and Dinthiulu Gangmei and most of them sustained leg and hip injuries while the injured police personnel are identified as women Head Constable Th Kananbala, women police Constable Okram Bijaya Chanu, Constable Naorem Premchand and Head Constable Thongbram Nanao.

A cameraman of Impact TV news also sustained minor injury on his leg when a smoke bomb exploded near him during the clash.

Speaking to media persons later, Jenthui Panmei, general secretary of Rongmei Naga Students Organization, strongly condemned the police for using tear gas shells and mock bombs on the people who were taking out a democratic form of protests demanding justice for Chungamliu Riamei.

He further stated that they approached the authority concerned to get an appointment with the Chief Minister so as to submit their memorandum for the past four days but there was no positive response.

Left with no other options, they decided to take out a peaceful protest rally to submit the memorandum to the Chief Minister, he said, adding that as the State Government and the Chief Minister have failed to hear the demand of the JAC, it, along with other CSOs, will launch intensified forms of protest.

An indefinite bandh will be imposed along the National Highways and a ban will be in effect on all National projects from today onwards, he announced.

It may be mentioned that Chungamliu Riamei was found hung to death at her marital home at Moirang Pansang Leikai at around 8 pm of August 17 and the body is still lying at RIMS morgue.

When the post mortem of the body was conducted on August 20, tensions flared up between the husband's family and the family of the deceased as to who will claim the body.