Jiribam stir intensifies, police fire tear gas
Source: Chronicle News Service
Jiribam, March 17 2023:
The ongoing road blockade protest by locals of Jiribam district's Bidyanagar, Lamlen Khul, Harinagar and Ucha-thoi area intensified on Friday following the imposition of restrictions under CrPC 144 by the district administration on Thursday.
Meanwhile, police resorted to firing tear gas canisters to disperse the protestors, who were blocking the road with some relaxation for essential services, education and religious matters.
Decrying the imposition of CrPC 144, JAC member L Sadananda pointed out that local residents have been demanding the government to repair the road that connects the villages as well as the helipad and hospital since last year.
They issued prior information of the planned protest through the media on March 15 with relaxation on certain categories of movement.
The protest remained peaceful.
However, the district administration imposed CrPC 144 for no apparent reason, he said while terming the restriction as unreasonable.
There was a rumour circulated among the public about the JAC's plan to stop movement of VIPs and the helicopter service.
However, such mode of agitation is not yet in JAC's menu, Sadananda clarified.
Stating that they are carrying out the protest to draw attention of the government so as to improve the condition of the road, he said that the JAC and the local res -idents will happily welcome MAHUD minister Khemchand if he visits the district and assess the situation.
On1 the other hand, district police resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse protestors, who were blocking the road.
However, there was no report of any injuries in the police crackdown.
Additional security personnel are being deployed in the area to maintain peace and ensure normal flow of traffic.
Earlier on Thursday, the district magistrate issued an order imposing restriction on assembly of three or more people which is likely to turn unlawful in the scheduled areas under Section 144 of CrPC.
The order also prohibited carrying of sticks, stone, knife, firearms and weapons of any other descriptions or objects which can be used as offensive weapons in the area, while adding that the restrictions with effect from 6 am of March 17 to 6 pm of March 20 .
The scheduled area, where the restriction has been imposed covers Bidyanagar in the North, New Alipur village in the North West, Uchathol in the East, Harinagar in the middle (Helipad area), Lam len Khunou in the West, and Nirigshingkhun/Aglapur in the South.