Rifleman hurt in firing at Leibi
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 28 2011:
Police and MR today resorted to firing several rounds in their effort to disperse villagers of Leibi in Chandel district who attacked a team of officials who had gone there to demarcate the inter-village border between Leibi and Kwatha villages.
A rifleman of the 7th MR sustained a bullet injury when he attempted to clear his jammed service rifle.
The rifleman, Thanil (35) sustained a bullet injury in his right leg.
He was in the escort party of the Addl SP of Chandel.
The bullet exited through the sole.
He was admitted at the Moreh CHC.
The incident occurred around 1.30 pm when the official team comprising of Chandel DC, H Deleep, SP Koijam Radhashyam went to demarcate the inter-village border as per order of the court.
The dispute on the boundary is a long standing one and Chandel district administration has been attempting to ease the dispute.
Earlier, a team of officials with security came back after a strong resistance from Leibi villagers.
Today, the official team had to demarcate the border and erect pillars.
When the officials asked the villagers of Leibi to take part in the demarcation, they refused.
Thereafter villagers of Kwatha were not invited to participate in the demarcation.
In fact Kwatha villagers stayed away fearing possible violence from the Leibi villagers.
After completion of the demarcation and erection of pillars, a group of Leibi villagers suddenly attacked the team with catapults, stones, spears and other deadly weapons.
Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the violent mob.
In the process, Rifleman Thanil was injured when a bullet from his AK-47 rifle went off accidentally while he was trying to clear the jammed barrel.
It is believed that many Leibi villagers might have sustained injuries in the act.