One injured, 4 vehicles damaged in Thoubal bandh
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, June 11 2014:
A man was seriously injured in police action and atleast six four-wheeler vehicles were damaged by bandh supporters during the 24-hour Thoubal district bandh today.
The bandh was clamped by Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organisation, Kakching in protest against putting up signboards inscribed as 'Chandel district' at the localities which are claimed to be the areas of Thoubal district.
Although, the bandh had little impact at other areas of the district, Kakching Bazar, Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel Bazar were largely affected.
All the shops remained closed and vehicles were off the roads at these areas.
Large number of bandh supporters gathered at various points on NH-2 and blocked the highway between Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel Bazar.
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Police fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs at regular intervals in which a man, identified as Konsam Arunkumar (36) of Kakching Sumak Leikai was seriously injured as he was hit by a tear gas shell.
He was immediately rushed to Jeevan Hospital, Kakching, but shifted to Shija Hospitals later as his condition became serious.
Thoubal SP Radheshyam, Additional SP Dr S Ibomcha, SDPOs of Kakching and Chandel, Kakching Municipal Council Chairperson Ksh Subadini and Vice-Chairperson Y Nando personally came out on the street and tried to calm down the mob.
NNN adds: Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) and Maring Students Union (MSU) alleged that shops, sign-boards, religious structures, schools and certain structures of Maring Naga villages of Khangsim, Nungourok, Heikakpokpi and Machi Block were not spared by the mob.
The UNC and MSU claimed that those Maring villages fall within Chandel district.
However, the Joint Non-Governmental Voluntary Organisation said these are in Thoubal district clearly demarcated by the Revenue department, Manipur government.
Meanwhile, the UNC and MSU alleged that when the mob was vandalising the Naga villages they reported to the concerned authorities of the state government but the latter did not pay any heed.
"We never trust Manipur state force who are controlled by the communal Government of Manipur against the Nagas," said the UNC leaders today talking to a section of media persons.
The UNC leaders also said that if the Nagas did not display maturity in today's incident there would have been bloodshed.
The UNC then urged the Government of India to immediately oblige the Alternative Arrangement demand made by the Nagas of Manipur "for we can no longer live together with the communal force." The UNC also demanded for the posting of the Central security forces near the villages of the Nagas and not the Manipur state force.
"We have already lost our faith in the Manipur state force," it aded.
The UNC then warned the group imposing the bandh and local MLA Surchandra that if things go out of hand they will be held responsible.
Meanwhile, reports said the situation is under control at the moment.
The bandh supporters started burning tyres while blocking roads at Kakching Lamkhai since 6 am today.
The police resorted to tear gas shells and blank firing to control the situation, the reports added.