Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 23:
Lathi charge, water cannon and mockery bombs marked the day before the agitating Home Guard personnel decided to ease their stir following a standing assurance from the Chief Minister that an order to hike their remuneration would be issued by April 2.Earlier in the day, before the decision to ease the stir was taken, a number of Home Guard personnel who had gathered in front of the Chief Minister's bungalow to air their grievances were lathi charged.
For the first time in the history of the State, the cops used water cannons to disperse agitators.
Mockery bombs were also used to rein in the agitating Home Guard personnel.
Following the crackdown launched to disperse the Home Guard personnel, normal movement of traffic was severely curtailed as the road in front of the CM's bungalow was blocked.
The same measure was also taken up at Keishampat.
Speaking to reporters, the Home Guard personnel said that despite receiving information from their CO that the Chief Minister has agreed to hike their remuneration, the same was not complied with.
The matter came to light when they checked the Secretariat today, said the aggrieved Home Guard personnel.
There was not a single order issued by the Government to hike their remuneration, they added.
Incensed with the false promises, the Home Guard personnel gathered and proceeded towards the CM's residence, they informed.
In all five Home Guard personnel were injured in the police crackdown.
They have been identified as Oinam Lata of Kha Sanjenbam, Laitongbam Bala of Mekola, Thokchom Ibemcha of Khabam Lamkhai, Soibam Puinabati of Potshangbam and Gurumayum Dhanabati of Khurai Laishram Leikai.
Despite the ugly confrontation with the police, the Home Guard personnel today decided to ease their stir and instead adopt a different method to carry on pressing their demands.
In a statement, the Home Guard personnel said that instead of the earlier mode of agitation, all the personnel will now gather at the Home Guard headquarters at Lamphel daily from 9 am to stage their agitation in a peaceful manner.
The decision to chage gear was reached after a meeting between representatives of the Home Guard and the Chief Minister at the latter's office today evening.
Speaking to newsmen, the representatives said that the Chief Minister assured them that an officer of the rank of a DIG will be appointed to probe the forcible deduction of Rs 200 each from all the Home Guards by some of their superiors.
The Chief Minister further assured that an order to hike their remuneration will be issued by April 2 and asked the agitating personnel to wait till then.
Ibobi also asked the Home Guard personnel to resume their stir if the promise is not honoured, added the three.
The Government spends about Rs 4 crores annually to pay remuneration of the 2346 Home Guard personnel.
7 injured seriously, situation tense in Zunheboto district