Wounded protestor likely to lose sight
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 07 2009: A 19-year old youth, identified as Naorem Prakash of Langthabal Kunja Mayai Leikai is in danger of losing his right eye-sight after being hit by a 'bullet', during a protest, which protestors alleged was fired by a police team even though police authorities claim the wound is caused by 'riot-control equipments'.

Reacting to reports published in certain evening dailies that the injured person was hit by a bullet and an empty case of AK Rifle had been recovered from the spot where the protest/clash took place, SSP (IW) L Kailun, in a statement issued today, dismissed the report as 'factually incorrect and misleading to the public'.

Naorem Prakash lying on a hospital bed

yesterday at about 9 pm hours, a team of police under OC/Singjamei police station rushed to disperse the mob/curfew violators at Kyamgei and Langthabal Kunja.

The numbered, approximately 100/200, said the SSP adding that the police team warned them to disperse but instead of dispersing, the mob started pelting stones and used catapults.

The police team used lathi to disperse them initially, and later on used anti-riot equipments to disperse the mob, the SSP's statement maintained, further informing that after the dispersal, one person was found lying on the roadside of National Highway-39 at Langthabal Kunja.

Conveying that the injured person was admitted to RIMS Hospital and the family members informed before the same person was shifted to JN Hospital for further treatment, Kailun in addition to stating that a case has been registered at Singjamei PS clarified that the police team while dispersing the mob did not use any fire arms such a AK assault rifles etc as alleged.

Contrary to the police station, sources detailed that the incident took place as protestors composed of local women-folk and youths were protesting on the NH-39 section.

According to family sources, whereabouts of Prakash remained unknown till late night yesterday and a report was lodged at Singjamei police station, Kakwa.

It is informed that Prakash was among about the protestors who were marching and raising slogans from around 8 pm against alleged extra-judicial killing perpetrated by police commandos in the July 23 incident at BT Road wherein two persons were slain and five others suffered injuries.

Some personnel of Singjamei police station reportedly contacted family members this morning regarding Prakash undergoing treatment at JN Hospital.

Contending that bursting of tear-gas shells and firing of rubber bullets were accompanied by sporadic gun-shots from the direction of the police team who showed up at the area of protest, family members further claimed that on spot inspection of the clash site this morning one empty case each of AK series ammunition and rubber bullet with pieces of flesh were discovered at the spot from where Prakash was last seen apprehended and thrashed by the men in uniform.

Opining that Prakash regaining sight is very remote, they further speculated that the grievous injury might have been caused from either fire-arm or rubberbullet.

It is also informed that Prakash was taken to Shija Hospital from RIMS before being brought to JN Hospital.

Reporters were informed by the family members that Prakash is complaining of problems of the ear, nose, head and eye.