Pitched battles, widespread protests, road blocks, mark final day of JAC bandh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2015: Widespread protests, stand off between protesters and police and road blockades marked the second day of the 38-hour bandh clamped by the JAC constituted in connection with the death of Sapam Robinhood today.

All the shops, business establishments, hotels, movie theatres located at Paona bazar, Thangal bazar and MG Avenue remained shut for the second day during the bandh that passed off at 7 pm today.

The three Ima markets and other markets of Lamlong, Kongba, Wangkhei, Palace gate, Keishamthong, Singjamei and Kwakeithel also remained closed.

All the private vehicles, inter-district and inter-State passenger vehicles and goods laden vehicles remained off the road during the bandh.

Attendance in all the Government offices was recorded low.

Cops standing on alert and protesters coming out on the road

On the other hand, confrontations between police and bandh supporters broke out at different localities across the four valley districts of the State during the bandh.

In the afternoon, a large number of bandh supporters of Singjamei area tried to march towards the Chief Minister's bungalow.

Police blocked the protesters at Moirangkhom and asked them to return towards Pishumthong after diverting them towards Keishamthong.

However, a police-protester tussle occurred at Keishamthong as the protesters tried to proceed towards Keishampat after crossing Keishamthong.

Police however dispersed the protesters by firing several rounds of tear-gas shells, rubber bullets and mock bombs.

One RK Nonigopal (65) of Keishamthong Top Leirak was hospitalised after a teargas shell that landed inside his residential complex hit him on his leg.

Tiddim road was also blocked at different localities during the bandh.

A large number of protesters who came from Kwakeithel side were joined by the people who were staging a sit-in-protest at the community hall of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai in blocking Tiddim road there.

Although police dispersed the protesters by firing teargas shells and mock bombs from the area, they later blocked the road between Takhellambam Leikai and Kwakeithel till night.

Similar protests were also witnessed at different places on Uripok-Kangchup road, Imphal-Jiribam road, Wangkhei-Irilbung road and Mayai Lambi.

A large number of bandh supporters were seen blocking roads at Thangmeiband, Singjamei, Kakwa, Canchipur, Wahengbam Leikai, Wangkhei Keishamthong and Nagamapal etc.

On the otherhand, members of Leimajam Leikai, Imphal Rising Club, Sega Road Welfare Club and meira paibis staged a sit-in-protest at the community hall of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's effigy was set on fire during a demonstration staged by the people of Meitei Pangal community at Hatta Golapati and Minuthong.

They shouted slogans like 'implement ILPS in the State' and 'punish the police personnel responsible for Robinhood's death'.

Later, the protesters were dispersed by police.

At Soibam Leikai and Wangkhei Khunou areas as well, people blocked the road using tree branches and boulders etc.

Later, people stormed the private residence of MLA Y Erabot and submitted a memorandum.

The memorandum demanded a new legislation to save and protect the indigenous people of the State.

The memorandum also included that a suitable and appropriate terminology be used in the title of the new legislation/Bill in the interest of the indigenous people.

The memorandum demanded that no land ownership right be given to non-indigenous people and necessary provision and procedure be included in the legislation.

Talking to women protesters who came to submit the memorandum, MLA Y Erabot said that involvement of all sections of the people is needed to make the dream Bill a success.

He produced numbers of facts and figures showing that non-Manipuri/ non-indigenous people have out- numbered the indigenous people.

He added that the Manipur Land Revenue, Land Reform Act 1960 must be reviewed.

Roads were also blocked at Thangmeiband Muji Leirak, DM College gate, Thangmeiband Kabrabam Leikai.

Coordinating body of ILPS, Khurai Imphal East, a conglomerate of various organizations of Khurai area organized a mass sit-in-protest at Lamlong Keithel.

Later a large number of womenfolk who were staging sit-in-protests in different areas of Khurai held a protest rally from Khurai Ahongei along the Laiwangma road and converged at Lamlong.

Road block along the Khuman Lampak Stadium road (Dingku road) continued.

The roadblock crippled all forms of transportation along the road.

The Khurai Tinsid road, Ayangpalli road and the Pangei road were blocked at different areas.

Lamlong Keithel wore a deserted look.

The Imphal-Ukhrul road also remained cutoff .

Meanwhile womenfolks of Salanthong area blocked the road in support of the pro-ILP movement.

Womenfolk of Wangkhei Thangjam Leikai and Wangkhei Laishram Leikai Nupi Lup also staged a demonstration demanding implementation of ILP system in Manipur.

It was also reported that at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou, bandh supporters blocked some medical staff who were returning after work.

YGC and YWS along with members of Nisa Bandh staged a sit-in at Phoijing Primary School.

At around 7.30 pm, a man was rushed to RIMS hospital in critical condition after he was hit by a tear-gas shell on his chest at Ghari in Imphal West district.

He has been identified as Koijam Umakanta alias Thoinao s/o Inaocha.

Stand off at Singjamei : A team of Singjamei police injured one person last night at Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai area.

The incident occurred at around 8 pm while the police was trying to disperse some group of people gathered at the area, much beyond the curfew relaxation time, reports NNN.

When the police team told them to go return to their homes, they disobeyed and a minor conflict arose.

Later, nearby residents joined in and the situation went out of control.

Police, in order, to control the mob fired a few live round bullets injuring one person on the thigh.

He is identified as Ngangbam Robinson (34), son of Ngangba of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai.

He was immediately taken to RIMS Hospital and is still under treatment.

Residents then directed their anger by over powering one SI of the police team.

Moreover, two VDF personnel of the team were severely beaten up.

Later, additional forces rushed in and rescued the SI and the two personnel.

Condemning the police and the use of live-rounds in controlling a tussle, residents of Singjamei side today protested by staging a sit-in protest and also by blocking roads.

They condemned the manner in which police remained a mute spectators even after Robinson was injured and for not helping the victim.

Leaders of the local body demanded that the police station concerned currently situated at Kakwa should be immediately shifted to some other place as its personnel lack discipline and training, and also demanded non-deployment of any VDF personnel in Singjamei area, as they alleged that this force is irresponsible and inhumane.

Jiribam : The bandh also severely affected normal life in Jiribam, reports Jiri News Network.

No passenger and goods laden vehicles left Jiribam for Imphal, Nungba, Tamenglong, Silchar and Cachar etc during the bandh that came into effect from 5 am yesterday.

All the shops, business establishments, schools, Government offices, banks, post offices and petrol pumps remained closed.

However, no untoward incident has been reported so far.

On the other hand, around 170 Imphal bound loaded trucks are stranded at Leingangpokpi after a loaded truck got stuck in the middle of Barak bridge.

Normal life was also severely affected in Thoubal district with people staging sit-in protests, taking out torch rallies at various places today, reports our correspondent.

Endorsing the JAC's bandh, roads were blocked at various areas by the Yairipok Tera Urak Ngamukhong Development Association, Ching Tam Apunba Nupi Lup (China Lup), Pallel, All Kakching Khunou Meira Paibi Forum, JCILPS Students' Wing, Kakching Khunou, Nupi Khunai Kanba Lup, Yairipok and meira paibis of Tangjeng Khunou, Tangjeng Khunjao, Khongyam, Mangjing, Khaobuk, Chajing Khunou, Korshantabi.

Effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam were also burnt at Wabagai Awang Leikai.

Sit-in-protests were staged by Thoubal Awang Leikai Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Khundongbam Leikai Meira Paibi Lup.

Supporting pro-ILP movement, Thoubal Sabaltong Meira Paibi Lup and the people of the area set off on a torch rally last night.

The rally which was flagged off from Sagoltongba passed through Thoubal Ningombam, Thoubal Nongangkhong and headed back to Sagoltongba through Thoubal Keithel and Thoubal melaground.

Protesters raised slogans like "Punish the police personnel involved in the killing of Sapam Robinhood", "Implement ILP in Manipur" etc.

Demanding enforcement of ILP in the State, Diesel Auto Service Association, Thoubal also suspended service today.