Police resort to blank-firing
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka,June 04 2013:
ATSUM strike continued to cripple normal life in the district today even as the police resorted to firing-in-the-air in an effort to ward-off a potential clash between bandh supporters and opposers.
On the second day, there were reports of more damages than yesterday.
Shops were shut and traffic was minimal in the town area but as was the case yesterday, life was normal at the district headquarters' Tuibuang, and Rengkai areas.
However at about 4 pm police reportedly fired several rounds in the air to quell a possible clash at Rengkai Road.
Sources said the local residents have ring electric poles and bells as ATSUM volunteers tried to force close the shop in the area, forcing the police who are on duty to take control of the situation.
In some places pieces of tyres are seen burning on the street but there was no report of violent clash other than at Rengkai.
The destruction caused to vehicles are said to be minor ones and are committed in isolated places apparently in areas where there are minimal witness or security.
Meanwhile the Kom Students' Union Manipur has today said it extended unconditional support to the 38 hours ATSUM bandh along with all its branches in Sadar Hills, Chandel and Churachandpur.
Claiming that ATSUM's demands are genuine and legitimate which merit swift and immediate attention, the KSUM questions the stands adopted by the KSO and asked if it is anti-tribal.
'The KSUM fails to understand and digest the confrontational attitude of KSO.
It is no wonder that the KSO has time and again shown its true colour by obstructing unnecessary hassle in the present imbroglio.
Whether with or without the KSO, the bandh will go on until the demands of ATSUM are realized,' it said.