Imphal, July 29: Several Opp MLAs, including three former Chief Ministers, Radhabinod Koijam, RK Dorendra and W Nipamacha were arrested for violating CrPC 144 and attempting to take out a rally upto the official residence of Chief Minister O Ibobi today afternoon.

All were later released after furnishing PR bonds.

Defying promulgation of CrPC 144 in the twin capital districts, prominent members of six Opposition parties including the three former Chief Ministers attempted to march till the restricted zone after staging a sit-in-protest near BT Park in the morning.

The police were firm but not harsh in tackling the situation and managed to lead away the MLAs and their supporters.

Significantly members of the Congress party�s frontal organisations also staged sit-in-protest without any intervention from the law enforcing agencies.

Informed sources reported that the Congress activists comprising of office bearers and members of Youth Congress, National Students� Union of India, Mahila Congress, Seva Dal and district units of the party took part at the dharna staged at the entrance gate of Congress Bhawan.

dharna staged at the entrance gate of the Congress party�s BT Road office.

The source also revealed that soon after the opposition party leaders, who were protesting very close to that of the Congress workers, left towards the CM�s residence the Congress activists also steadily left the scene.

Both the Congress and opposition political party agitators put up banners demanding revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 and punishment to guilty Assam Rifles personnel involved in the arrest and subsequent killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi with the latter group also demanding convening of an assembly session to discuss on the burning issue.

As the opposition leaders and supporters reached Nupi Lan memorial Complex passing through the Raj Bhavan entrance a police contingent led by Imphal West Additional SP stopped the protestors.

The opposition leaders insisted on staging sit-in-protest near the CM�s gate which was obviously rejected by the law enforcers.

Soon after the Imphal West SP arrived and informed the political leaders that they would have to be arrested for forceful entry at restricted zone and violating CrpC 144.Obliging the SP�s instructions the opposition party leaders including former CMs RK Dorendra, W Nipamacha and Radhabinod Koijam and MLAs O Joy, Nimaichand Luwang, M Nillachandra, N Bihari, S Gopal, S Chandra, S Ibohal, N Sovakiran and L Tomba besides former Deputy Chief Minister L Chandramani walked till the Imphal West district police station and court arrest themselves.

After arrest of the 13 remaining MLAs and some former Ministers along with their respective party workers and sympathisers headed for THAU ground to join the mass public rally.

The opposition MLAs include L Ibomcha, S Natum, I Hemochandra, M Bhorot and former Ministers Gangmumei Kamei and Thoiba.

The opposition leaders who took part in the agitation belonged to the BJP, MNC, MPP, DRPP and Nationalist Trinamool Congress.

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